I play the guitar now. I have been studying guitar for about 6 years. I can keep tempo well and things like that, but I have never played any type of percussion. Recently I have gotten very interested in learning to play tablas and I was wondering if there is any chance to be able to play them well, If i have never played any percussion instruments?
The truth is not always beautiful,
nor beautiful words the truth. -Lao Tzu
Thank you for the reply. I think I will buy some Tablas as soon as I get the money. I started looking over some of the bols and stuff last night, just to become more equainted with learning how to play. I will be learning from books and videos at first, what are some of the best books and videos to learn from?
Thanks
The truth is not always beautiful,
nor beautiful words the truth. -Lao Tzu
Nice words for Sri Aloke Dhutta and it is an excellant book. But he is not Pandit status yet
Sorry to nit pick
Kumar (May 14, 2001 04:34 p.m.):
Okay Prof. Courtney's books have useful information for tabla. Also I know a good book on tabla and its name is: Tabla, Lessons and Practice.
This has been written by Pt. Aloke Dutta in English and it is really useful.
This can be found in USA, though I have bought it in India.
Also do you have to have exceptionaly strong hands to strike the tabla and make it loud enough? You don't hit it like an african drum or bongos, you use bols that involve just your hands. I've tried to strike a drum like this and when i do it I can't make a very loud sound at all? are tablas louder than alot of other drums? What can I do to strenthen my hands?
The truth is not always beautiful,
nor beautiful words the truth. -Lao Tzu
Hey, i've been playing hte tabla for about two years now. i live in southern cali., US. to answer your question about your hands having to be strong in order to strike the tabla, you don't have to have strong hands. you just need to know where to hit the tabla. you need to hit the smaller tabla at the edge. right on that strip of leather between the edge and and the head. you need to hit the that part with the last bone of your finger and the second to last bone of your finger. the last bone is called the "ta" and the second to last is called to the "ti".
