I am a 16 year old high school student who currently plays guitar and has a great appreciation for indian precussion, especially Tabla. Over the next few months I would like to acquire my own set, and begin learning. I am not familiar with the mechanics of Tabla, but is it something I could learn with a book, or is it something that I need a teacher for? Also, where is a good place for someone in the Ontario area to purchase a set? Finally, what should I look for in the set? What is good/bad and how much should I consider spending on my first set? Thanks :-)
Thanks
I get no end of "you need a real teacher" from everyone on this site, so I guess that's good advice. I personally can't find one, so I've been using David Courtney's books (absolutely should get at LEAST Fundamentals of Tabla) and a couple of Batish videos. The videos were invaluable to me since I don't have anyone to watch making the bols, but if you can find a teacher, I think I probably wouldn't buy them; they were a little expensive and I think a teacher could cover the information better in person.
I'll let these other guys advise you on tabla price and what to look for. All I know is that the bayan (big drum) should be heavy. There are some useful points in David Courtney's book, too, with regard to quality of the pudi (heads), etc.
It's hard to disappoint a pessimist.
I know this may sound funny, but is that Ontario Canada, or Ontario Califorina?If california I have a nice set for sale just E-mail me rtysitar@aol.com Peace
Get a good teacher, books are great, but nothing compares with a teacher, becouse books can never really show how, they can't put your fingers in the right place, and besides make the right sounds, and I think it's better to learn tabla orally than from books,
(personan bius).And yes, both drums Bayan and Dayan should weigh alot,(louder sound), I bought my first Tabla through my teacher so I knew it was a good set, now though the pudi is old and I need to change it. :-\
House of Raga in Toronto sellings tablas. www.houseofraga.com. However, I purchase my through my instructor.
Les_Paul_Lover (Feb 25, 2003 08:59 p.m.):
I am a 16 year old high school student who currently plays guitar and has a great appreciation for indian precussion, especially Tabla. Over the next few months I would like to acquire my own set, and begin learning. I am not familiar with the mechanics of Tabla, but is it something I could learn with a book, or is it something that I need a teacher for? Also, where is a good place for someone in the Ontario area to purchase a set? Finally, what should I look for in the set? What is good/bad and how much should I consider spending on my first set? Thanks :-)
