It depends on the instrument that you would accompany, if you are a starter, I thing you should go for 4-3/4" diameter. Tough its is said that larger diameter tabla are better for starter. Downside is, its hard to keep them tuned.
I agree with shawn. I think the 5.5 inch tabla is the "standard" or "all purpose" size. Anything smaller will be higher pitched and anything larger will be lower pitched. They are useful in some situations, but I think a starter need not worry about them.
Yep 4.75 can't be right it's to small, now a 5.75 or 6 that can be a beautiful drum, I had a 5.75 that sounded great, I used to tune it to A then one day it was just split. The first time I reheaded it the gab was big and thin, after a while I couldn't stand it and replaced it . This time it's got that beautiful low sound but I won't tune it above G.
Pete (Jan 31, 2003 04:33 p.m.):
I agree with shawn. I think the 5.5 inch tabla is the "standard" or "all purpose" size. Anything smaller will be higher pitched and anything larger will be lower pitched. They are useful in some situations, but I think a starter need not worry about them.
Personally, I find that whe you're accompanying non-classical music and playing kehrva and dadra, a smaller head is usually more useful (5-1/4" or 5"). When playing with raagas in teentaal, ektaal, jhaptaal, etc. I usually use a 5-1/2" or 5-3/4. Kehrva and most dadras require a higher pitch most of the time.
If you're only going to have one and if you're just starting out, I would go with the 5-1/2". It'll still give you enough flexibility to bring up to reasonably high scales but it's still suitable for those lower classical compositions.
