Taan
Taan is a technique used in the vocal performance of a raga in Hindustani classical music. It involves the improvisation of very rapid melodic passages using vowels, often , and it targets at improvising and to expand weaving together the notes in a fast tempo. It is similar to the technique ahaat, used in Arabic music, or like an arpeggio in Western music.
The murki, a type of ornamentation, is a swift, short and taan-like movement that is heavily used in thumri.
Taans are clustered in different types:
- Bol Taan : Taan can be sung by utilizing the words of the bandish. This is a difficult type of a taan as in this correct pronunciation, meaning of the composition, everything has to be taken into consideration.
- Shuddha/Sapat Taan : The notes are placed in an order in one or more octaves.
- Koot Taan : The notes do not remain in order. Therefore, the nature of Koot Taans is complicated.
- Mishra Taan : Combination of sapat and koot taans.
- Gamak Taan : Gamak is a technique by which a force is added to notes and each note is repeated at least twice.