Krsna Kirtana Songs est. 2001 www.kksongs.org
Lesson 9:
Accompaniment Etiquette
Now
that cycles and accompaniment have been formally taught, there is one more
topic that needs to be discussed. There are three major instruments that
survive alone, musically. The kartals fits this category, because there is no
possibility to make a melody through cymbals. In addition, it does not have
many bols, which prevents it from earning the reputable status of being a solo
percussive instrument, like the tabla. Therefore, the kartals can only serve as
accompaniment. Despite having such limitations, the kartals can be one of the
most important instruments. The singer, mridanga or tabla player, and the
audience can rely on your kartal rhythm to the point that no one should grossly
fall off place. In order to be an efficient and effective kartal player, some
behavioral etiquette rules should be observed.
1. You are only accompanying an
singer, musician, or artist
When
you play the kartals for someone else, you must remember that you are being
there to help the singer or the main artist. In some cases, you may have very
talented musician-devotees that have great experience in kirtanas, bhajans, or
whichever musical form or dance they want to render.
-
Play in such a way that the main artist does not get drowned out or you play in
a way contrary to the needs of the kirtan. You are there to help the artist,
not help promote your talent.
-
As mentioned earlier, kartal cannot survive alone, musically. However, just
because mridangas, harmonium, and other instruments are playing does not give
one to right to attempt a “kartal solo.” Stick to the cycles that you think
will positively help the artist and will help him or her from going astray.
-
Stick to the tempo alone. If the singer or main artist wants you to speed up,
they will give you a subtle cue, like stare at you constantly, start pumping
the harmonium loudly, or play harmonium faster.
2. Predict the tala that is being
played
Even
though in the temple, most of the kirtanas will be in eight matras, you might
want to listen to one mahamantra before you decide which set of rhythmic cycles
you will need (i.e. Will four or three beat cycles be used?). Count out the
beats mentally before playing. Always try to match the sam of the previous
chapters to the sam of the song. Sometimes, clapping to the song would help
keep track where the beats fall.
3. When playing, focus only tala,
tempo, and the main artist
It
is very easy for new students to easily miss a beat, for various reasons. If
you think you may have missed a beat, look at the artist and stop playing and
find the point where you can pick up and play on time. If you are really lost
on what part of the cycle you should resume playing, try to pick up on a point
where you can start off at the first beat of the kartal cycle.
If
the main artist asks you to accompany a rhythm you are not 100% comfortable
with or do not know how to play kartals for, humbly notify the artist that you
are unable to play that.
4. Loud is never good
When
people play kartals for the first time, they will tend to get overly excited
that they will play the kartals too loudly, to the point that kartals begin to
sound cacophonic. Instead of side-rhythm and help, it becomes a loud
disturbance. Therefore, don’t play too loudly and forcefully. Even in fast
rhythms, playing gently and normally would help the ecstatic singer and
mridanga player focus on the rhythm nicely.
5. Whompers are NOT kartals!!!
Figure
9.1
For
those who are not familiar with whompers,
they are large version of kartals. They are actually known as garba jhanjh. While the kartal’s
diameter ranges from 3 to
This
comes at a price, though. People assume that these are played like kartals, and
as a result, an obnoxiously loud sound comes about creating more of a
disturbance than real accompaniment. Plus, it can cause kirtans to reach or
exceed safe hearing levels, which result in devotees going partially deaf later
on in life, or devotees wearing earplugs.
As
a result, many temples either stop carrying whompers or have designated people
playing them. If your temple does not have such rules, please keep in mind that
whompers are not kartals! You cannot play the cycles that were discussed in
this course. The whompers should be used to mark the sam only.
6. Use good judgment
Most
of the time, a kirtan leader will not coordinate in advance who will play
kartals, harmonium, and mridanga and in what tala. If the kirtan leader wants
to speed up, speed up gradually. Don’t speed up abruptly. Same thing with
slowing down too! Likewise, do not use the faster speed kartal cycles for slow
songs. You can, however, use the slow cycles for fast songs, as they will
function for marking rhythm in a tasteful manner.