Kartal Lessons 1: Introduction and Course Outline

Although there are some nice basic videos out there, and I link to a few of them throughout the course as extra resources, I was a bit frustrated that I couldn't find a nice comprehensive course in English that teaches the very basics for a brand new kirtaneer, to the fancier things for those who want a bit more spice in their kirtans. I put this together in a way that anybody at home can easily become a very nice kartal player in a short amount of time with enough practice. I hope it will inspire many kirtaneers around the world to learn to play the kartals sweetly for Krishna's pleasure.

I welcome comments throughout so if you have a better method for anything I teach here or can add corrections or additions, it is very welcome so we can all improve our kartal playing and understanding. If there are enough additions I may add an appendix video or two with the extra information.

So for those who don't know Kartals are a pair of finger cymbals used in kirtan. They keep a steady beat and are a fundamental rhythm instrument along with the khol or mridanga. Kartals add beauty and energy to a kirtan when played sweetly and can also be played alone if there is no other instrumentation available. In fact, that is how Srila Prabhupada first started the Harinama sankirtan in the West. His voice, a pure devotional heart and a pair of kartals.

Its fun to play the kartals and often the easiest instrument for musicians of any level to pick up. But because of this it's easy for the kirtan to be disturbed by a well intentioned but inexperienced player. I hope this resource will serve to help enhance the overall sound and mood of the kirtan. If you practice along with the videos in this course and apply that knowledge while playing in kirtan, your kartal playing will become an enjoyable experience for yourself, the other devotees and ultimately Krsna.

The kirtans during Caitanya Mahaprabhu's time used kartals as described in the famous Gaura Arotik song by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur

śańkha bāje ghaṇṭā bāje bāje karatāla
madhura mṛdańga bāje parama rasāla

Conchshells, bells, and karatalas resound, and the mrdangas play very sweetly. This kirtana music is supremely sweet and relish able to hear. (Verse 5).

Note the music was supremely sweet and relishable to hear. The most important thing in kirtan is our affectionate expression of love and so it is not necessary to be a professional musician. But if we can make some small effort to enhance our contribution to the musical elements of a kirtan, to make them sweet and relishable to hear, this will be greatly appreciated by others participating in the kirtan and ultimately Krishna.

In a nicely written article titled "The Art of Kirtan", Vraja Kishor prabhu points out that "To make an effort to increase the beauty of ones celebration of Krishna’s name is itself an act of love." You can find a link below to the full article and it also contains some instructional videos on basic kartal playing.

So how are we going to increase the beauty of our kartal playing in this course? Well the syllabus will cover the following:

Syllabus:

Beginner

Buying and Stringing Kartals
How to Hold the Kartals
Kartal Etiquette
Basic Kartal Sounds and Practice Tips
Counting/Keeping Time/Tal
Basic Kirtan rhythms
Basic 4 Beat
Basic 6 beat

Advanced

Kartal Strikes/Bols
Wrist Loosening Exercises
Kaharva Tal Mantras
Dadra Tal Mantras
Garba Tal mantras
Tihais for all Tals
Connecting Tihais
Alankars (decorations)

Finally nothing beats personal instruction so take every opportunity to get tips from those more experienced than yourself. But if there is no facility I hope this will serve you well. Take your time and enjoy the journey. Hare Krishna.

[nikolaimarinchev]

Thank you so much for this course 🙏🏻 Great service to all vaishnavas

[krishnakhanna]

Unable to express how happy and grateful I am to have found your channel and these videos. Thank you for putting the effort in making these. All glories to Srila Prabhupada! Hare Krishna!

[DesiringDevotion]

It’s so nice so many years later to be able to reflect on this and share this with others. Thank you my brother your efforts continue to serve the vaisnavas
Hari bolo

[rivkah]

I am so glad to find this course! Just got my Kartals from India today and am so excited to learn! Thanks for putting this together!

[UrFaveMF]

Thanks so much for this! Hare Krishna!!

[Novrain]

Hare Krsna. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. Thanks a lot for these instructional videos. May the mercy of Guru and Gauranga shower on you

[vatrenikrug]

Thank you... ❤ Great to have ways of learning

[bhaktandeva]

Hare Krishna! Thank you so much for this beautiful service you have given to everyone, of kartal instruction. You’re such a great teacher, and your generosity is truly inspiring. OM Shanthi

[tsgeeta]

Hare KRishna.... THank you for creating this video

[_kalpataru_official]

Really grateful!!! Please continue this series!!

[jatinarora]

Hare Krishna . Thank u so much Mikey prabhu 4 this lecture. If u come with Mridanga and harmonium tutorial too. That will be so wonderful.
May Prabhupada and Krishna be pleased upon u for the incredible services .
Ur servant
Hare krishna

[ankushrohilla]

Amazing course. Thanks a lot. I never knew that such a knowledge full course existed....

[amitsingh]

हरिबोल। हरे कृष्ण हरे राम। सत्य सनातन धर्म की जय।।

[Tripuface]

This is an incredible offering friend. Thanks so much for doing this.

[jonknapp]

I’m so excited to start this course. I just got out of the Gainsville Krishna House Ashram and am back in my home town of Tallahassee. We have a very small temple here with only a few members. I have a nice altar at home and all my Moms old books. So I am now continuing all my KC practices at home. Very thankful for such a detailed course.
All Glories 🫡📿
-Jonathan

[hankaadamus]

Thank you very much for these karatal lessons, very helpful

[jaisrikrsna]

1000th subscriber.. Hare Krishna!! Thank you for the kartal lessons

[merokanha]

Hari Bol!!! Thanks a Lot ! Prabhu, it's very helpful..very Nice!

Ys, madhusevita priya das

[tulasicuadros]

Thank you!! this is just what I was looking for

[clifflexmiddleton]

Hi Mikey. Thanks for posting these videos. Hope to meet you at the Woodingdean Sangha when you are in the UK.