INDIAN MUSIC FORUM ARCHIVES: Tabla Forum: Tabla bols matching other musicians notes

Is there a technique to learn this? is there a name for this? or is it an advanced musical ability of tabla player to show the corresponding bols on the tabla.

I wanted to ask this question because a friend has asked me if you could play the musical notes SA, RA, GA, MA. . . . . .etc on the tabla.

I have had a similar discussion with another friend of mine and he was saying the tabla can only express one note (the note its tuned to).

So why does TA, TIN, TU, TETE, TI all sound different when played.

Excuse my ignorance

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Jas (Jan 21, 2004 07:27 a.m.):
I have watched zakir on a video matching bols with musical phrases of Hariprasad chaurasia. It usually appears at the end of the performance.

Is there a technique to learn this? is there a name for this? or is it an advanced musical ability of tabla player to show the corresponding bols on the tabla.

I wanted to ask this question because a friend has asked me if you could play the musical notes SA, RA, GA, MA. . . . . .etc on the tabla.

I have had a similar discussion with another friend of mine and he was saying the tabla can only express one note (the note its tuned to).

So why does TA, TIN, TU, TETE, TI all sound different when played.

Excuse my ignorance

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Jas,
For an on-depth explaination see David's article on tabla acoustics: https://chandrakantha.com/tablasite/articles/sang_r_a.html
Much of what Ust. Zakir does to emulate the soloist is done with combinations of precision strokes on the dahina and much experienced and controlled manipulation of the left hand bayan.
By the way, does anyone happen to know if Zakirji plays any other non-percussive musical instruments? Vaguely remember seeing a photo of him at a piano.

Aanaddha

Everyone probablay also knows he sings and is an amazing conga player, frame drum player, along with kanjira, ghatam, rik, stick, and so on. .so versatile and such an inspiration as well as having a heart of gold.

Peace