Teen Taal

Teen Taal is a live instrumental recording of the 16-beat rhythmic cycle (taal) in Hindustani classical music. Alla Rakha, Fazal Qureshi, and Zakir Hussain perform the piece. The recording captures a traditional tabla solo and accompaniment session. The artists demonstrate the structure and variations of Teen Taal, a foundational rhythm in North Indian classical music.

The performance was released in 1972. The primary format is an audio recording. The label for the release is not specified in available sources. The duration of the recording is 15 minutes and 49 seconds. Alla Rakha leads the performance, with Fazal Qureshi and Zakir Hussain providing accompaniment on tabla.

The piece begins with a clear exposition of the 16-beat cycle, divided into four sections of four beats each. Alla Rakha establishes the basic bols (syllables) of Teen Taal, including dha dhin dhin dha, dha dhin dhin dha, dha tin tin ta, ta dhin dhin dha. The artists introduce improvisational patterns (tihais) and rhythmic variations (parans) as the performance progresses. Zakir Hussain and Fazal Qureshi respond to Alla Rakha’s phrases, creating a call-and-response dynamic typical of tabla solos.

The recording does not include specific track titles or divisions. The artists maintain the integrity of the taal while exploring its expressive possibilities. The performance concludes with a final tihai, a rhythmic phrase repeated three times to resolve the cycle. The exact venue and date of the live performance are not documented in available sources.