Choosing a Tabla

Tabla sets are pairs of drums.  A wooden cylindrical (or slightly conical) drum, called the dayan, is played by the dominant hand.  The larger drum is a metal kettle-type drum and called the bayan. Each drum has a head of multi-layered goatskin (called “puddi”.) There are rings of slightly different construction that produce different sounds. The black spot in the middle of each drum is a called siyahi and it is usually composed of layers of a mixture of rice, glue, graphite, and iron filings. The drum head as a whole is fragile and can be easily damaged by moisture or anything sharper than the bare hand. As such, our tablas come with head covers and cases. You may also wish to consider a locking hard case.

Tablas are a standard of Indian music, but there are many variations in nomenclature, techniques, and styles (referred to as gharānās). There isn’t even a standard answer as to which century first saw the introduction of the tablas.  The most common account credits a 13th century Indian poet with creating the tabla as a split version of the pakhawaj drum.

Until very recently, tabla instruction was almost exclusively verbal. At some point in history, it was also secretive. Fortunately, for you, if you want to own a tabla and learn to play it, you don’t need anyone’s permission. In fact, table instructional media is much more widely available now than it was even ten years ago. Still, it is considered one of the world’s most complicated drums. Pitch variations are wide and achieved by very minor changes in the way the heads are struck. On the larger drum (the bayan), the pitch is often even changed as it is played (the heel of the palm presses against the drum as the fingers strike it). As speed and pattern complexity are expected of accomplished players, it is not completely surprising that in generations past, mastery of the instrument was sometimes a lifelong pursuit, and, if possible, a career choice.

Except for our mini tabla set, primarily meant for decoration, our bayans are all about 10 inches tall and have a head diameter of 10 inches. Our dayans are all about 9 inches tall and have a head diameter of about 6 inches. Both drums sit on cloth-covered “donut” bases. Tabla players sit on the floor, cross-legged.

Things to consider when choosing a tabla:

Tuning: Strap tuning lends a more traditional to your tabla, but bolts allow for quicker and more precise tuning.

Material:

Dayans: Whether in a set or sold separately, our dayans are essentially the same. The wood used for construction varies with availability, but is usually rosewood or toon, occasionally teak.

Bayans are available in brass, nickled brass, copper, stainless steel, or aluminum. Choice is a matter of aesthetics as the sound is much more a function of the head and the shape of the drum, both of which are standard.

As admired as tabla playing is by itself, it is often used as accompaniment. If you fend you need a tabla player rather than a need to play tablas, check out our electronic tabla machine. It generates realistic tabla patterns at user-controlled tempo and volume.

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