Combining taals and raags
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can play and sing a melody in time to a rhythm cycle.
Key learning points
- We can develop the texture of our piece by layering the taal and the raag.
- The bols and the claps of the taal are a steady pulse we can layer a raag over.
- We can add the raag by singing a melody and playing improvisations that use the notes of the raag.
- The taal and raag don’t have to start at the same time. A raag can start halfway through the rhythm cycle.
Keywords
Taal - a rhythm cycle that measures musical time in Indian music
Raag - a series of notes that inspire a composition (from Sanskrit language meaning ‘to colour’)
Bol - a spoken syllable used to recite the rhythm (from 'bolna', the Hindi word for 'speak'.
Texture - the combination of different layers of sounds
Common misconception
The taal and raag begin and end at the same time.
A raag can start and end at any point in the rhythm cycle.
Teacher tip
Keeping a steady beat is key to this lesson. Encouraging everyone to count to 16 supports children in feeling the tempo and pulse before they start clapping, playing and singing.
Equipment
Instruments such as glockenspiels, chime bars or xylophones. 1 between 2 is suggested although can be achieved with fewer. Keyboards are another option although they tend not to have note names.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which of the following defines texture in music?
Q2.Which of the following can be done with a taal?
Q3.What does a bol represent?
Q4.Match each taal and raag label with the musical activity.
clap the rhythm cycle
speak the bols
sing a melody
play an improvisation on a pitched instrument
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Teentaal has 16 beats in its rhythm cycle. How can we count these beats?
Q2.True or false. A raag and a taal must start at the same time.
Q3.Which one of the following would be good advice to offer someone improvising within a raag?
Q4.How many different layers are combined in Hindustani Classical music?
To help you plan your 4 music lesson on: Combining taals and raags, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 4 music lesson on: Combining taals and raags, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 music lessons from the Compose and Create: improvising within Hindustani classical music unit, dive into the full primary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.