How to play Karatals - by NityanandaDas

How to play Karatals:

Practice with your hands, so you can control them first.
Then the first is how NOT to hold the Karatals, the second way is safe, secure and gives more control.
When the palms are together, the Karatals are 90 degrees perpendicular to the body, and when the fingers go in, the Karatals are parallel to each other.
The sound can be "closed" or "open" and the idea is to play with this two main sounds and keep the rythm.
The basic rythm here is 4/4 and is the most common and simple to learn.
This can be 4/4 normal speed or 4/4 double (fast) speed.
For the fast speed is important to start and finish with the same hand, so you can keep going as fast as the Kirtan or Bhajans go.
Kara means palm or hand, and Tala is the rythm, so with the Karatals you are responsible of the rythm of the Kirtan, and remember to understand that a Kirtan has many levels.
Some will start slow and go faster, others will keep a slow mood, so don't try to hurry if the leader is not doing it.
And be humble, if the leader asks you to stop, play soft or fast, DO SO.
And is better to stop if you can't follow, and then start once you feel confident about the speed and mood.

Saying all this, feel free to ask any question :)

Enjoy practicing and HAPPY KIRTANS!!!

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• karatals
• kirtan
• how to
• bhajans
• nityanandadas

[Gabrielmoon777]

awesome!!



[nityananda85]

@Gabrielmoon777 Thanks!!!

[MahtaMel]

I've always been musical growing up; band geek & alto in the church choir. Began studying yoga as a teen, & was recruited to play kartala at sunday feasts & such. That was years ago & I never took up formal training. Due to recent kirtan happenings & new temple adim where I live I'm inspired to study all aspects of creating devotional music. This is a great way to start at the beginning, again, so I can unlearn some bad habits, and learn new techniques. Many thanks & well wishes, prahbu.

[dharambarrett]

This is brilliant thank you,i am practicing the clapping first!!