Basic Information On Tabla Drums
Tabla is a very popular percussion instrument in South Asia originating as far as 300 years ago. The name came from the Arabic word tabl meaning drum. There are various versions of the instrument's origin but it is generally believed to have evolved from previously existing drums such as the dholak, naqqara, and pakhawa. This instrument is most commonly found in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
The modern version of the instrument is composed of a pair of drums. The dayan, which means right in India, is the smaller, wooden drum played with the right hand while the bayan, which is translated as left, is the larger drum with a metal body and played with the left hand.
Both drums have similar parts. The head of the drums, called the puri, is made up of goat hide. An extra ring of hide is laid over the head as well as on the bottom of the drums. These rings hold the lacings, or tasma, on the side of the drums, which in turn control the tension and pitch of the drums through a number of wooden cylindrical blocks called ghatta. These are placed between the body and the lacings. There is a black circle in the middle of the drum heads called syahi made up of gum, soot and iron fillings. There is a difference, however, in the position of the syahi of each drum as the dayan's is in the middle while the bayan's is slightly off the center.
The defining sound of the tabla is its bell-like timbre made possible by the syahi. The dayan is tuned to the tonic note of the vocalist or the instruments accompanying it. It has the higher pitch between the two. The low end of the instrument is produced by the larger bayan. It is interesting to note that the tune of the bass is not confined to a single note but can cover a whole scale based on the position and pressure of the left wrist on the syahi. One can also do sliding notes on the bass because of the ease in controlling the tune.
Learning how to play the tabla can be challenging to some since the principles are a little different from the Western styles of music. The beats are conceptualized through mnemonic syllables called bol. To be able to play well, one has to understand how the basic Indian rhythm is conceptualized.
Table can provide not only the beat and rhythm but also some melody, and just as the Western style has the beat, measure and cycle, so does the Indian style. The only main difference is that the latter focuses more on the cycle unlike the former which focuses on the measure and the beat. Timekeeping when playing the tabla is based on claps and waves. These claps and waves basically describe the measure of Indian music. It is important in the conceptualization and execution of the whole song as the other instruments also follow this rhythm as a guide. The cycle is constant but the syllables played throughout the song may vary depending on the player.
As an instrument, table is rich and exotic and can provide both rhythm and melody. It is a great accompanying instrument that can stand on its own. Learning it may not be an easy task but with time and dedication plus a good understanding of Indian musical concepts, the results are very satisfying. - 18423
The modern version of the instrument is composed of a pair of drums. The dayan, which means right in India, is the smaller, wooden drum played with the right hand while the bayan, which is translated as left, is the larger drum with a metal body and played with the left hand.
Both drums have similar parts. The head of the drums, called the puri, is made up of goat hide. An extra ring of hide is laid over the head as well as on the bottom of the drums. These rings hold the lacings, or tasma, on the side of the drums, which in turn control the tension and pitch of the drums through a number of wooden cylindrical blocks called ghatta. These are placed between the body and the lacings. There is a black circle in the middle of the drum heads called syahi made up of gum, soot and iron fillings. There is a difference, however, in the position of the syahi of each drum as the dayan's is in the middle while the bayan's is slightly off the center.
The defining sound of the tabla is its bell-like timbre made possible by the syahi. The dayan is tuned to the tonic note of the vocalist or the instruments accompanying it. It has the higher pitch between the two. The low end of the instrument is produced by the larger bayan. It is interesting to note that the tune of the bass is not confined to a single note but can cover a whole scale based on the position and pressure of the left wrist on the syahi. One can also do sliding notes on the bass because of the ease in controlling the tune.
Learning how to play the tabla can be challenging to some since the principles are a little different from the Western styles of music. The beats are conceptualized through mnemonic syllables called bol. To be able to play well, one has to understand how the basic Indian rhythm is conceptualized.
Table can provide not only the beat and rhythm but also some melody, and just as the Western style has the beat, measure and cycle, so does the Indian style. The only main difference is that the latter focuses more on the cycle unlike the former which focuses on the measure and the beat. Timekeeping when playing the tabla is based on claps and waves. These claps and waves basically describe the measure of Indian music. It is important in the conceptualization and execution of the whole song as the other instruments also follow this rhythm as a guide. The cycle is constant but the syllables played throughout the song may vary depending on the player.
As an instrument, table is rich and exotic and can provide both rhythm and melody. It is a great accompanying instrument that can stand on its own. Learning it may not be an easy task but with time and dedication plus a good understanding of Indian musical concepts, the results are very satisfying. - 18423
About the Author:
If you want to listen and feel the beat of ethnic musical instruments, you shuold try celtic bagpipes. It has a distinct sound that creates music to hear. Or you may want to try bodhran.
posted by X - Men at
4:46 AM
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