Sam The '''sam''' {{Pronounce|sum}} is the always the first [[matra]] of any an [[taalavartan]].For example, in [[teentaal]], the first matra, ''Ta'', is the sam. The sam is usually stressed when playing and is particularly important when playing in groups. For instance, in Kathak, in a piece in teentaal, the tabla player provides a steady rhythm by playing theka, while another musician improvises. When it is time to switch roles, the two musicians can easily coordinate by using the sam as a marker, since it is the beginning of the next avartan. [[Category:Taal]]