Taals of Indian Classical Music

Here are some commonly used Taals in Hindustani Classical Music.

Teentaal or Tritaal (16 beats cycle)

Teentaal, a 16 beats cycle, is the most commonly used taal in Hindustani Classical Music. It is sung in vilambit (slow), medium (madhyalay), drut (fast) and ati drut (very fast typically for taranas) tempo.

Jhaptaal (10 beats cycle)

Ektaal (12 beats cycle)

In vocal music, Ektaal is used in bada khayals in ati vilambit laya (mostly in Kirana style). In gwalior tradition, Bada Khayal in ektaal is presented in medium tempo

Tilwada (16 beats cycle)

Typically sung in Gwalior style in medium tempo for khayals, tapkhayals. It is a "Theka" derived from Teentaal.

Jhoomra (14 beats cycle)

Typically used in Gwalior style in medium tempo. It is rare to find a drut composition in Jhoomra. It is a "Theka" derived from Taal Deepchandi (14 beats).

Rupak (7 beats cycle)

Vocalists use this 7 beats taal for khayal. It is also used as madhyalay/drut too.

Dadra (6 beats cycle)

Dadra is mostly used in semi classical vocal forms like dadra, ghazals, devotional songs.

Punjabi Tritaal (16 beats cycle)

Punjabi Teentaal is rarely heard today and it mainly accompanies the Tappa.

Pushto (7 beats cycle)

Pushto mainly accompanies the Tappa.