I am worried that talcum powder may be drying out the puddas and the deewals. Should I use some type of oil to soften these parts? Should I loosen the deewals when I am not playing for long periods of time. I am concerned that the tension plus the drying effect of the talcum powder will cause them to break. ( Powder just seems to get everywhere). Any advice that you could offer would be appreciated.--- Thanks - Laurelyn
I do not know if talcum powder would dry out the tabla skin, but liberal amounts of the powder can certaily result in a build-up and affect tonal quality. Some experts advise using talcum powder only on the hands to keep them dry, not on the drums.
To much talcum powder is not good but don't use oil that's definately bad , you can loosen the blocks if you are not going to play for a month otherwise don't worry about that.
http://www.angelfire.com/music3/tabla
I only use a little bit of powder on my right hand fingers when the weather is hot. But if your fingers are dry then
maybe you don't need any. I also use some on my left wrist to help sliding. Too much is not good for the tabla skin.
Never use oil on the tabla's, it ruins the skins. I suppose powder is better. But, try not to use that too often. I hardly use powder only when my hands sweat.
As my hand sweat quite a lot, I use the medics powder to treat atheletes foot. In the UK its called Mycill Powder. Its great and doesnt stick to the skins and you don't need to use too often either.
Laurelyn (Aug 24, 2002 08:42 p.m.):
hi, i would suggest that u do not use oil at all. talcum powder is the best as it absorbs moisture. Also u can use gasoline to clean the puddi. Just wipe some on the sjkin and leave the drums in the sun to dry. If not sure then consult "teach yourself tabla" by "Vir" Avtar
I am worried that talcum powder may be drying out the puddas and the deewals. Should I use some type of oil to soften these parts? Should I loosen the deewals when I am not playing for long periods of time. I am concerned that the tension plus the drying effect of the talcum powder will cause them to break. ( Powder just seems to get everywhere). Any advice that you could offer would be appreciated.--- Thanks - Laurelyn
