Taan (music)
Encyclopedia
Taan is a virtuoso technique used in the vocal performance of a raga
in Hindustani classical music
. It involves the singing of very rapid melodic passages using vowels, often the long "a" as in the word "far", and it targets at improvising and to expand weaving together the notes in a fast tempo. It is similar to the technique ahaat
, used in Arabic music.
The murki, a type of ornamentation, is a swift and taan-like movement that is heavily used in thumri
.
Bol Taan : Taan can be sung by utilizing the words of the bandish. This is a difficult type of a taan as in this correct pronunciation, meaning of the composition, everything has to be taken into consideration.
Shuddha/Sapat (Straight) Taan : The notes are placed in an order in one or more octaves.
Koot Taan : The notes do not remain in order. Therefore the nature of Koot Taans is complicated.
Mishra Taan : Combination of sapat and koot taans.
Gamak Taan : Gamak is a technique by which a force is added to notes and each note is repeated at least twice.
Many other types of taan exist, e.g. Ladant taan, Zatkaa taan, Gitkari taan, Jabde ki taan, Sarok Taan, Halak Taan or Palat taan.
Raga
A raga is one of the melodic modes used in Indian classical music.It is a series of five or more musical notes upon which a melody is made...
in Hindustani classical music
Hindustani classical music
Hindustani classical music is the Hindustani or North Indian style of Indian classical music found throughout the northern Indian subcontinent. The style is sometimes called North Indian Classical Music or Shāstriya Sangeet...
. It involves the singing of very rapid melodic passages using vowels, often the long "a" as in the word "far", and it targets at improvising and to expand weaving together the notes in a fast tempo. It is similar to the technique ahaat
Ahaat
Ahaat is a technique used in Arabic vocal music, involving the use of extended melodic variations on the syllable "a." The technique, which gives the impression of a sigh, is typically used to express strong emotion such as longing or sorrow....
, used in Arabic music.
The murki, a type of ornamentation, is a swift and taan-like movement that is heavily used in thumri
Thumri
Thumri is a common genre of semi-classical Indian music.The text is romantic or devotional in nature, and usually revolves around a girl's love for Krishna. The lyrics are usually in Uttar Pradesh dialects of Hindi called Poorbi and Brij Bhasha...
.
Types
Taans are clustered in different types:Bol Taan : Taan can be sung by utilizing the words of the bandish. This is a difficult type of a taan as in this correct pronunciation, meaning of the composition, everything has to be taken into consideration.
Shuddha/Sapat (Straight) Taan : The notes are placed in an order in one or more octaves.
Koot Taan : The notes do not remain in order. Therefore the nature of Koot Taans is complicated.
Mishra Taan : Combination of sapat and koot taans.
Gamak Taan : Gamak is a technique by which a force is added to notes and each note is repeated at least twice.
Many other types of taan exist, e.g. Ladant taan, Zatkaa taan, Gitkari taan, Jabde ki taan, Sarok Taan, Halak Taan or Palat taan.
External links
- Alankars (ITC SRA)