Title: Exploring the Mesmerizing World of Tabla: A Guide for Aspiring Music Learners
Introduction:
Namaskar! Welcome to the captivating world of music. Today, I am thrilled to introduce you to one of the most melodious percussive instruments – the Indian drum tabla. In this blog, we will delve into the fascinating structure and parts of the tabla, uncovering the secrets behind its enchanting sound. Whether you are a music enthusiast or a budding tabla player, this guide will provide you with valuable insights into this captivating instrument.
The Structure and Parts of Tabla:
Tabla is comprised of two drums, the Left drum and the Right drum. The right drum is known as tabla or dhayan, while the left drum goes by the names bhayan, dugga, or duggi. These drums are covered with circular skin heads, typically made of goat skin. Before being mounted on the tabla, the goat skin undergoes chemical treatment. This particular face or portion of the tabla is referred to as pudi.
The Right Drum (Tabla/Dhayan):
The tabla or dhayan is smaller in diameter, producing a high-pitched sound, which represents the treble or mid notes in the music. It is characterized by its sharp and distinct tones.
The Left Drum (Bhayan/Dugga):
In contrast, the bhayan or dugga has a wider diameter, resulting in a deeper and more resonant sound that contributes to the bass component of the music.
Exploring the Tabla's Parts:
The tabla is predominantly made from a block of wood, typically around 12 inches in height, using materials like neem, sesame, or Jack tree wood. The wooden portion of the tabla is called the lakri, which consists of a hollowed-out section measuring around 4 inches, with the rest being solid wood. The diameter of the tabla decreases from the top to the bottom, typically ranging from 4 to 6 inches at the top and 7 to 9 inches at the bottom. The smaller diameter at the top produces higher-pitched sounds, allowing tabla players to achieve a wide range of tones by using tabla drums with different diameters.
The quality of sound produced by the tabla is influenced by the weight and thickness of the wood. Heavier wood generally offers better tonal quality. Additionally, the thickness of the skin head, known as pudi, affects the sound produced at higher pitches.
Unveiling the Intricate Details:
Let's take a closer look at the intricate details of the tabla. The skin is actually two layered, with the topmost layer being cut in a circular shape to form the outer rim called Chatti or kinar. The Chatti has a width of approximately half an inch. You might notice black circular spots on both the tabla and dugga, known as shahi. Shahi, meaning "black" in Hindi, is a toning paste applied to the head of both drums. It is a mixture of iron fillings, rice paste, and adhesive, providing the tabla player with better control over pitch and resonance. The coating thickness of shahi influences the pitch, with thicker coatings resulting in lower pitches and vice versa.
The visible portion of the skin head is called maidan or luv, while the outermost ring that binds the skin head to the body is known as the gajara or shrinkar. The gajara has 16 holes through which the tuning laces, called bandhi or vadhi, are strung across the tabla and dugga bodies to keep the skin head tightly bound.
Tuning and Adjustment:
Circular wooden blocks known as gatta or gulli are used for tuning the tabla and adjusting the beats. Typically, one tabla has eight tuning woods.