Playing taals and speaking bols
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can speak and clap a rhythm cycle (taal) in time.
Key learning points
- The three key components of Hindustani classical music are taal, raag, and drone.
- The main instruments used are the tabla, the sitar, and the tanpura.
- We can speak the rhythm cycles of the taals by using the bols, which sound like the drum sounds.
- We can clap and wave the rhythm cycles which can help keep us in time.
Keywords
Taal - a rhythm cycle that measures musical time in Indian music
Bol - a spoken syllable used to recite the rhythm (from ‘bolna’, the Hindi word for ‘speak’)
Tabla - a set of two drums on which the taal is played with the hands
Common misconception
Music has four beats in a bar and we always finish at the last beat in the bar.
Rhythm cycles in Hindustani classical music can have anything from 3 beats to 128 beats. The rhythm is cyclical and ends on the first beat of the rhythm cycle.
Teacher tip
Your music hub may be able to loan you some of these instruments. Tabla drums are great to explore creating a variety of sounds on.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is rhythm?
Q2.Match these words to their meaning.
the regular, steady heartbeat of the music
the length of a sound or silence
a combination of notes to make a memorable tune
when two or more notes of different pitches are played together
Q3.In musical terms, which of the following do you think best describes a 'drone'?
Q4.What word do we use when we speak in time together to a steady pulse?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which three of these instruments are you likely to see in a Hindustani classical music concert?
Q2.The three main components of Hindustani classical music are the raag, the drone, and the...
Q3.What is a bol used for?
Q4.Teentaal is a 16 beat rhythm cycle. Put these bols in the correct order to show the taal Teentaal.
To help you plan your 4 music lesson on: Playing taals and speaking bols, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 4 music lesson on: Playing taals and speaking bols, 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.