tirkit

All taals of tabla

The taal is the rhythmic cycle at the heart of Hindustani classical music. Below is every taal in the Tirkit app, each with its theka, matra count and vibhag structure. Tap any taal to see its full pattern and practise it in the app.

Teentaal

16

The 16-beat cornerstone of Hindustani music — four even vibhags and the theka every student learns first.

4-4-4-4Khayal · Instrumental gats

Jhaptaal

10

A 10-beat cycle in an asymmetric 2-3-2-3 grouping, a favourite for khayal and instrumental music.

2-3-2-3Khayal · Instrumental gats

Ektaal

12

A 12-beat taal of six two-beat vibhags, equally at home in the slowest vilambit and the fastest drut khayal.

2-2-2-2-2-2Vilambit khayal · Drut khayal

Keherwa

8

The 8-beat backbone of light and semi-classical music — bhajan, ghazal, folk and film songs.

4-4Bhajan · Ghazal

Rupak

7

A distinctive 7-beat taal whose sam is itself a khali — grouped 3-2-2 and loved in bhajan and khayal.

3-2-2Khayal · Bhajan

Dadra

6

A graceful 6-beat cycle in two threes — the signature taal of thumri, dadra and light devotional music.

3-3Thumri · Dadra (song form)

Jhoomra

14

A slow, stately 14-beat taal in 3-4-3-4 built for expansive vilambit khayal.

3-4-3-4Vilambit khayal

Tilwada

16

A 16-beat cousin of teentaal with an ornate theka, reserved for slow vilambit khayal.

4-4-4-4Vilambit khayal

Deepchandi

14

A 14-beat semi-classical taal in 3-4-3-4, the heartbeat of thumri and ghazal.

3-4-3-4Thumri · Ghazal

Sitarkhani

16

A 16-beat taal with a lazy, dragging Punjabi lilt — the classic bed for thumri and tappa.

4-4-4-4Thumri · Tappa

Chautaal

12

A grand 12-beat taal played on the pakhawaj — the foundation of dhrupad and dhamar singing.

2-2-2-2-2-2Dhrupad · Pakhawaj solo

Bhajani

8

An 8-beat devotional theka, a softer sibling of keherwa made for bhajan and kirtan.

4-4Bhajan · Kirtan

Chachar

16

A 16-beat semi-classical taal with a thumri-friendly, spacious swing.

3-4-3-4-2Thumri · Semi-classical

Sooltaal

10

A 10-beat pakhawaj taal of five two-beat vibhags, used in dhrupad.

2-2-2-2-2Dhrupad · Pakhawaj solo

Dhamar

14

A 14-beat taal in an unusual 5-2-3-4 grouping, the namesake of the dhamar song form.

5-2-3-4Dhamar · Dhrupad

Dakshinatya Rupak

6

A brisk 6-beat cycle in two threes, reflecting a southern Rupaka feel.

3-3Light classical · Fusion

Play every taal in Tirkit

All sixteen taals, several thekas each, any key and any tempo — free to try.

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Frequently asked questions

How many taals are there in tabla?

There are dozens of taals in the Hindustani tradition, but a working musician uses a core set of ten to fifteen regularly. Tirkit includes sixteen, covering classical, semi-classical and light forms — from the ubiquitous teentaal to pakhawaj taals like chautaal.

What is a theka?

A theka is the basic pattern of bols (drum strokes) that defines a taal and marks its beats. Playing the theka is how a tabla player keeps the cycle; every taal on this page shows its theka laid out matra by matra.

What are matra, vibhag, sam and khali?

A matra is a single beat. A vibhag is a section or grouping of beats within the cycle. Sam is the first and most important beat, where phrases resolve. Khali is an "empty" section, shown with a wave of the hand instead of a clap.

Which taal is the most common?

Teentaal, a 16-beat cycle in four equal vibhags, is by far the most widely used taal in Hindustani classical music and the first one most students learn.