Define tala and list the beat patterns of the four talas commonly ...

[debasdf]

Define tala and list the beat patterns of the four talas commonly used today in Carnatic music.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Dozens of other ragas may derive from each of the 72 melakarta mothers by creating other characteristics . . . What are some of the ways of deriving additional ragas?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[mochi09]

Answer to Question 1

 Talas are regularly recurring metric cycles consisting of groups of beats.
 Each beat may, in turn, be divided and subdivided into faster units 2s, 4s, 8s, 16s, 3s, 5s, 7s, or 9s
 The four common talas in Carnatic music today are:
 Adi Tala 4 + 2 + 2 = 8 beats (as in // 1 2 3 4 / 1 2 /1 2 //) or
Adi Tala (at a slow tempo) 4 + 2 + 2 = 8 beats, but counting each beat twice
(as in // 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & / 1 & 2 & / 1 & 2 & //)
 Rupaka Tala 1 + 2 = 3 beats (as in // 1 / 1 2 //)
 (Khanda) Chapu Tala 2 + 3 = 5 beats (as in // 1 2 / 1 2 3 //)
 Misra Chapu Tala 3 + 2 + 2 = 7 beats (as in // 1 2 3 / 1 2 / 1 2 //)

• Except for the Khanda Chapu Tala and Misra Chapu Tala, which are generally performed at a brisk tempo, all talas may be performed at a fast, medium or slow tempo. (Note how two pulses are counted per beat in the Adi Tala above if that tala is played at a slow tempo.)

Answer to Question 2

• Omitting notes in ascent and/or descent.


• Zigzagging the scale in ascent and/or descent.


• Adding notes from other scales


• Adding other distinguishing elements, like unusual ornaments, etc.


• There are thus hundreds of ragas in common use . . .

[debasdf]

Great answer, keep it coming

[peter]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it