A bol is a standardized

mnemonic A mnemonic ( ) device, or memory device, is any learning technique that aids information retention or retrieval (remembering) in the human memory for better understanding. Mnemonics make use of elaborative encoding, retrieval cues, and image ...

syllable used in North Indian classical music to define the tala, or rhythmic pattern. Bol is derived from the Hindi word ''bolna'' (बोलना), which means "speak." One who learns to play the

tabla A tabla, bn, তবলা, prs, طبلا, gu, તબલા, hi, तबला, kn, ತಬಲಾ, ml, തബല, mr, तबला, ne, तबला, or, ତବଲା, ps, طبله, pa, ਤਬਲਾ, ta, தபலா, te, తబల� ...

or pakhavaj (or pakhawaj) drum is taught to recite the rhythms as bols, which can be quite complex. Bol is analogous to

konnakol Konnakol (also spelled Konokol, Konakkol, Konnakkol) ( ta, கொன்னக்கோல் koṉṉakkōl) ( ml, വായ്ത്താരി) is the art of performing percussion syllables vocally in South Indian Carnatic music. Konnakol is th ...

, which is used to recite rhythms for the

mridangam The mridangam is a percussion instrument of ancient origin. It is the primary rhythmic accompaniment in a Carnatic music ensemble. In Dhrupad, a modified version, the pakhawaj, is the primary percussion instrument. A related instrument is th ...

drum in

Carnatic music Carnatic music, known as or in the South Indian languages, is a system of music commonly associated with South India, including the modern Indian states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and Sri Lanka. It ...

, which is South Indian classical music.

References

External links

KKSongs Talamala - Tabla Bol Reference
has recordings of tabla bols.
Instruments in Depth: Tabla: Drums of North India
an online feature fro
Bloomingdale School of Music
(March, 2008)

contains detailed instructions on producing each bol. {{Hindustani Classical Music page end Tala (music)

See also

References

External links