Tabla has an important role in the Indian music scene. There are various stories about the origin of the tabla. According to one source, the word tabla comes from the Persian word tabl. Other sources say the famous pakhawaj player from Delhi, Siddhar Khan is the father of the tabla instrument. Whatever its source, the tabla continues to be regarded as a very important and beloved drum, and an important part of north Indian music.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Learning about Tabla
Step 1. Understand the different parts of the tabla
The tabla consists of two separate wooden drums, one smaller and one larger. The smaller drum, placed on the right and called the daylan (or tabla) and the larger drum, placed on the left, is called the baylan. Each drum produces a different tone but simultaneously produces a distinctive sound that we immediately associate with the tabla, an important sound for classical Indian music.
Step 2. Learn how to make tabla
In order to play this drum well and keep your instrument in good working condition, it is important to understand how the tabla is made. Daylans are made of wood, usually from the Neem or Shisham tree. While Baylan is made of metal or clay. The two drums are made of different materials so that each produces a sound that has its own characteristics.
- Both drums are covered with drum skin made of goat skin. The skin of the drum is attached to the drum with long strips of skin attached to the ring of skin located at the bottom of the drum.
- To tune the drum, the tabla maker inserts a block of wood between the body of the drum and a strip of leather. The tightness of the drum skin and the sound of the drum are adjusted by shaking the wooden block up and down along the drum.
- A unique element of the tabla is the presence of a sinai, a filling filled with iron mixed with rice paste and fixed to the surface of the drum, just above the goatskin, allowing for further tuning of the drum.
Step 3. Learn how to sit and play the tabla
Before you start playing Tabla, you should learn how to position your body properly, because posture and body position are very important factors in playing tabla.
- Sit with your legs crossed on the ground. This will position your body at the same height as the tabla.
- Place the drums in front of you, close enough to almost touch your feet, with the space between the drums right in the middle of your body. The larger drum, which is to your left, should be laid flat, with the top of the drum facing straight up. The top of the smaller drum, which is to your right, should be facing away from you, at an angle of about 35 degrees.
- Waist position should be straight. Keep your posture straight.
- You must place one hand on each drum. Make sure your hands can comfortably reach the drum in front of him. Hand placement should not be rigid. Hands should be in a comfortable position, so that it is easy to play the tabla.
Part 2 of 2: Playing Tabla
Step 1. Place your hands on the daylan, the smaller drum, which is on the right
The three fingers of your right hand, namely your middle, ring and little fingers should be positioned on the sinai in the middle of the drum.
Make sure your index finger is lifted just slightly from the skin of the drum. Place the heel of your hand on the edge of the drum
Step 2. Practice hitting the daylan
Keep the part of the drum you are touching centered on the sinai in the center of the drum shell.
- Raise your hand a few inches, then lower your middle finger, ring finger, and little finger toward the center of the drum. This is a punch called Te.
- Raise your hand just a few cm, then lower only your index finger to the middle of the sinai. This is a punch called Tea.
Step 3. Place your left hand on the baylan, the larger drum, to your left
Place your palms on the drum, so that your hands cover the sinai with bent elbows. If you're in the correct position, the heel of your hand will just cover the sinai and your arm will rest on the edge of the drum.
Sinai on baylan not positioned in the middle. Make sure your drum is positioned so that the sinai is at 2 o'clock, if the top of the drum is a clock. This will make it comfortable for your palms to cover them and your arms to rest on the edge of the drum
Step 4. Practice hitting baylan
Keep your arms on the drum and simply lift your arms up, flex your wrists, and gently lower them down. This stroke is called Ke.
Step 5. Learn how to follow tabla bol (word order)
Indian percussionists follow a system of wording, rather than following the musical notation of the western system. Each word in the ball represents the sound you make on the drum, such as the Te and Tea strokes you have learned. This series of words will produce bol.
Step 6. Practice playing the tabla
As you practice, keep your rhythm slow so you can focus on hitting the drums and combining the sounds properly.
- Don't try to practice on more than one tabla bol at a time. Repeat the exercise for the same ball for at least an hour a day.
- While practicing, avoid talking to other people. Concentrate on the tabla game.
Step 7. Increase the rhythm gradually after mastering the basic strokes in playing the tabla
Your goal is to increase speed but not sacrifice accuracy.
Step 8. Play around with the different sounds you can make on the drum
Once you've mastered the basics of tabla, experiment as much as you like in your own style. For example, use the force of the index finger on the edge of the tabla to produce a good note.
Step 9. Listen to as much Indian classical music as you can
This will allow you to know how it sounds and get a general feel for the rhythm. Listening to music is almost as important as riyaz (practice).
