I am very new to the tablas and just purchased my first set yesterday. i realize that it takes alot of practice to be able to play well, but i can't even get the most basic sounds out of my drums. i looked up some basic info on the net and tried the basic strokes so i know how to hit it, more or less. is it possible that my drums are poorly manufactured? i realize that i'm not hitting the drum with perfect technique, but these drums don't sound anything like tabla. is this normal and i just need more instruction? also the tabla doesn't have much volume when hit on the very edge and it isn't very high in tone either. any help or ideas is appreciated.
It could be the drums are bad but it may be that it is just not tuned at all. If you push the blocks down all the way do you get any tone?
symbiont one (Feb 24, 2003 02:55 p.m.):
i am very new to the tablas and just purchased my first set yesterday. i realize that it takes alot of practice to be able to play well, but i can't even get the most basic sounds out of my drums. i looked up some basic info on the net and tried the basic strokes so i know how to hit it, more or less. is it possible that my drums are poorly manufactured? i realize that i'm not hitting the drum with perfect technique, but these drums don't sound anything like tabla. is this normal and i just need more instruction? also the tabla doesn't have much volume when hit on the very edge and it isn't very high in tone either. any help or ideas is appreciated.
When touching the tuning blocks , move them very slowly down, alternate each block accross from the other to not put uneven pressure on one side of head, this my cause the head to tear, (been there done that) I hope this helps, my first set of tablas were a nightmare, very cheep light alumanum set, but we live & learn. . . . . . . .Peace
I tried pulling down all the tuning blocks and got more or less the same sound. it's not a clear bell like tone that is described on all the web sites ive seen. the tabla is heavy wood, but i also noticed the thickness of the wood goes out almost all the way to the edge of the chat (outermost edge - is that the correct term?). it seems like when i hit the edge im just hitting wood and not getting much sound.
has any one had experience w/ the tablas they sell at guitar center? that's where i got these.
The best options would be going to a Tabla teacher,(or someone with experiance), and showing them the tabla.
to tune you need a small hammer, then hit the gajara until around the head, until the sound is the same,(use Ta or Na, Tun gives too much overtones), this means that the tension is equal around the head.
I can understand how you feel. . I get a little suspicious from time to time about my tablas too - I got them online. I also, having no experience, and knowing how easy it is for things to go wrong with tablas, worry about every off sound I get. I think you will need to find someone who knows about tablas to look at yours.
It's hard to disappoint a pessimist.
Thanks for everyone's help and suggestions, but i can't imagine myself ever getting a good sound out of these. it could just be me. i think i'll return them and recoup my losses.
thanks anyway
Guitar Center? Wow. . .I've never seen tablas there. . . . .I saw they had a Vichitra Veena for sale at GC once that was advertised as a sitar though. . . . .! Good idea to return them and find a better set. . . . .
