As a general rule, your strong hand goes on the small head always.

We will need to learn only four strokes: ta, ki, ge, dha

ta

“Ta” is a resonant note made on the small head with the index finger (the finger rebounds after the strike, and the head is allowed to vibrate freely).

To make the “Ta” sound, the finger should be stiff, and strike the drum at a slight angle (the finger should not be parallel to the head). The base of the fingers strikes the rim of the head and automatically the finger will hit the head and rebound. After striking the head, the finger should not be resting on the head.

The strike should be made just below the center of the head.

—- 0 —-

ki

“Ki” is made by spreading the fingers apart, and bringing the hand down on the big head of the drum so that the side of the thumb strikes first. The hand then flattens out on the head, one finger at a time, in rapid succession. After striking the head, the hand remains on the head and the head is not allowed to continue to vibrate (hear sound above this explanation).

—- 0 —-

ge

“Ge” is a resonant note made on the big end of the drum (the bayan).

The fingers are kept apart and stiff. The hand strikes the rim of the drum just below the base of the fingers (the upper part of the palm). The force of the strike against the rim will bounce the fingers momentarily off the head, allowing the head to make a loud “Boom” sound. This is the loudest sound the mrdanga makes.

After striking the head, the fingers do not remain on the head, and the head is allowed to vibrate freely. All you have to do is just strike the edge of the rim, and automatically the fingers will rebound off the head.

—- 0 —-

dha

DHA is a combination of Ge plus Ta played at precisely the same time. It’s played by slapping the big end of the drum and making a big resonant BOOM, and by bouncing your index finger off the rim of the small end of the drum.

We´ll learn now our first mantra:

ta – ki – ta – ge – dha

to practice on your own
save the mp3 – right click and “save target as”

Some people, learn the second or third rythm first as they seem easier and they are indeed easier, but later we found that these persons have a hard time to learn the first and subsequent rythms.

If you are still unfamiliar with strokes, please consult lesson 1 (opens in new window).

Important: Do not skip a lesson until you play correctly the current mantra AND chant along with it.

Next, our second mantra:

ki – ta – ge – dha – dha

to practice on your own, save the mp3 – right click and “save target as”

If you are still unfamiliar with strokes, please consult lesson 1 (opens in new window).

Important: Do not skip a lesson until you play correctly the current mantra AND chant along with it.

Let´s learn our third mantra:

ki – ta- ge – dha – ta – ge – dha

right click and “save target as”

Important: Do not skip a lesson until you play correctly the current mantra AND chant along with it.

Let´s learn our fourth mantra:

ge – dha – dha – dha – ta – ge – dha – ta

right click and “save target as”

Important: Do not skip a lesson until you play correctly the current mantra AND chant along with it.

Let´s learn our fifth mantra:

ge – ta – ge – dha – ta

right click and “save target as”

Important: Do not skip a lesson until you play correctly the current mantra AND chant along with it.

CONGRATULATIONS

You have achieved now the necessary skills to learn easily the literally millions of mrdanga mantras.

Just one more nicety, a mantra widely used in many of the temple functions like the Srimad Bhagavatam class, often called “Prabhupada beat” in honour of our spiritual master.

Sixth mantra, here we go:

ti – ta – tiri – tiri – ti – ta – ki – tiri – ki – ti – ge – dha – dha – dha – dha – dha – dha

right click and “save target as”

Surprised? There are 2 strokes you still do not know here: ti, tiri

I said you only have to learn 4 strokes but was I not telling the truth?

Well, it is a way of teaching and encouraging you.

With only 2 more strokes you can be your temple´s official mrdanga player:

ti

right click and “save target as”

“Ti” is made on the small end of the drum. It is a non-resonant note, which means that the fingers remain on the head after striking it (the head is not allowed to resonate).

“Ti” is made with the three lower fingers of the right hand for a right handed person, or the left hand for a left handed person.

The fingers slap the head, just above the center point and then remain pressed against the head after striking it.

tiri

right click and “save target as”

Tiri is a quick flick of the hand on the small end of the drum. It takes place very fast, and takes the time of only one normal stroke. This takes a bit of practice to get it right.

The flick is fast, and there is no time to be concerned about the difference between the “Ti” and the “Ta.” Both sound the same.

Please bear in mind that there are thousands of possible combinations of every mantra, so if you know a mantra diferently, do not think it is incorrect, just add it up to your knowledge base.

Now for the last lesson, number 8 , where you will learn to build a kirtan or bhajan.

***

Now that you know the basics, you can easily build up your skills just from watching kirtan performances or exchanging rythms with other devotees.

The last part of this mini-course is how to concatenate or build up your beats for it to result in an harmonious and enthusing kirtan.

As general rule you begin with a slow beat (mantra 1, 2 or 7) and then change to faster beats gradually so to build a nice tempo, ending usually in wild dancing

So it will be something like mantras 7, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 in order.

When to change pace is ruled by the kirtan leader (might be you, hey) and the mrdanga player has to be a real good listener and follower in that is the only way to ensure a nice and musical performance for the Lord and His devotees.

So, the mrdanga player is a servant of the kirtan, an accompaniment instrument and it is of the utmost importance to hear and follow accordingly.

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