Glossary · glossary · 1 min read
Tihai
तिहाई; a phrase played three times to land on sam
A tihai is a rhythmic phrase repeated three times, with its final note on sam, the first beat of a taal, or repeating rhythmic cycle. It is the standard way to end an improvisation in Hindustani music, on tabla, sitar or voice.
By John, Music lover from Bangalore · Reviewed by BRR · Last reviewed 29 Sept 2026
Tihai
A tihai is a rhythmic phrase played or sung three times, with its final note landing on sam, the first beat of a taal. A taal is a repeating rhythmic cycle. The first two endings are false arrivals; the third lands exactly on that first beat.
The phrase is worked out in advance for a particular cycle and tempo, or speed. A tabla solo in teentaal, a cycle of 16 beats, nearly always ends with a tihai. The pleasure comes from hearing that final note arrive precisely where it should.
Where you will hear it
A tabla solo in teentaal, a 16-beat rhythmic cycle, nearly always ends with a tihai, a phrase played three times to finish on the cycle’s first beat.
You will also hear tihais on the sitar and in the voice. In Hindustani music, they are the standard way to end an improvisation. They are worked out in advance for a particular taal, or repeating rhythmic cycle, and tempo.
Keep going
- Taal for beginners: teentaal, keherwa and dadra with clap patterns · A taal is a repeating rhythmic cycle: count 16 beats for teentaal, eight for keherwa, and six for dadra. For teentaal, clap on 1, 5 and 13, wave on 9; for keherwa, clap on 1, wave on 5; for dadra, clap on 1, wave on 4.