Play the Kartals - Our Kartal Course
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In this fun and thorough kartal course you'll be taken from beginner to pro in 20 video lessons. With a little practice you'll be ready for slow paced and very fast kirtans in no time. Video lessons also include play along sessions with your teacher.
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Instructor: Visvambhar Sheth
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Level: All levels
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Videos: 20 (2h 30m)
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Reference pdfs: 5
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Suggested you take along with this course: The Language of Music course
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Price: $30 USD
Kartal Course
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kartal course beginner-friendly?
Yes. The course begins with how to hold the kartāls, how to create clear tones, and how to stay in rhythm. No prior experience is required.
Do I need professional kartāls?
No. Any simple brass kartāls are suitable for learning.
How long does the course take?
Students typically complete the course in 1–2 weeks, practicing 10 minutes per day.
Is this course useful for harmonium and mridanga players too?
Yes, kartāls are often the rhythmic anchor of kirtan, so learning to play kartāls strengthens your overall rhythmic ability.
Is rhythm a talent or learnable?
Completely learnable. Consistent practice builds strong rhythmic intuition.
What can I expect to learn?
Correct grip, stability, avoiding strain, developing the proper angle for clean sound, the basic kartāl sounds, the basic beats and techniques, dynamics and orientation on how kartāls fit into kirtan.
What are the basic kartāl sounds?
Open sound, closed sound, the ‘Sizzle’ technique, the ‘T’ technique. These form the foundation for all rhythms.
What is the ‘Sizzle’ technique?
A rolling sound produced by sliding one kartāl across the other, adding texture and excitement.
What is the ‘T’ technique?
It uses a small wrist rotation, striking one of the kartāls on the side of the other. Great for ease of playing, speed and controlled dynamics.
What Taals will I learn?
Keherwa Taal: An 8-beat rhythm cycle used in the majority of kirtans. Keherwa is the rhythmic “home base.”
Double speed: Doubling the number of strokes while maintaining overall tempo. Typically used to add life and build intensity. Visvambhar teaches two techniques for playing double speed.
Superfast Double Speed: A higher-tempo version used in very fast kirtans
Lopha Taal (3/4 timing): A gentle 3-beat cycle often used for meditative melodies.
Matan Taal (6/8 timing): A lilting beat common in Bengali kirtan
Various Tihais: A rhythmic phrase repeated three times, landing elegantly on beat 1 (sum).
And decorations
Double speed: Doubling the number of strokes while maintaining overall tempo. Typically used to add life and build intensity. Visvambhar teaches two techniques for playing double speed.
Superfast Double Speed: A higher-tempo version used in very fast kirtans
Lopha Taal (3/4 timing): A gentle 3-beat cycle often used for meditative melodies.
Matan Taal (6/8 timing): A lilting beat common in Bengali kirtan
Various Tihais: A rhythmic phrase repeated three times, landing elegantly on beat 1 (sum).
And decorations
Are play-along lessons included?
Yes, to internalize the rhythms, hear accents correctly, and build rhythmic confidence. There is also a wrap-up lesson which combines all techniques.
How much should I practice each day?
At least 10 minutes. Short, consistent and careful daily practice builds muscle memory quickly.
How do I prevent hand fatigue?
How do I prevent hand fatigue?
How do I receive the course completion certificate?
Complete all lessons and mark each as finished.
Is there a final test?
No exam—your progress through the course is your demonstration of completion.
Testimonials
kind words by students
“Thank you so much for making this Kartal course available. It’s beautifully put together in a way that makes sense & is easy to follow along and practice.”
Saghi Ahmadi
“I have finished the kartal course. It’s a very good course with full knowledge to play and develop. There is video explanation, instruction in text and practice in video. I think it’s very well created lessons which will be very helpful in understanding kartals and playing right. Thanks to the team of Art of Kirtan for your good support.”
Katya, Ekatarina
Recently, I purchased the Kartal course from your website and it was really nice. I like the way in which Visvambhar prabhu teaches, he makes it very effortless to learn Kartal. Along with that, I got some nice association of him through the videos. And my Kartal skills have significantly improved.
Ananda Vrindavan Dasa, San Diego, California, USA
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meet your instructor
Visvambhar Sheth
An internationally recognized Kirtan singer, recording artist, and inspirational speaker, Visvambhar (Vish) has a lifelong connection to India and its culture. Being brought up in a Kirtan family and community, he began leading Kirtan from the age of five. Vish has a rare capacity to invoke and transmit the essence of kirtan.
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