Introduction to Tabla,

the Ancient Indian Drums

By
Chintan Vaishnav
Collin Joye
 Class Format
• Theory
• Counting Exercises
• Hands-on

• (http://web.mit.edu/chintanv/www/tabla/tabla.html)
– Listening Assignments
– Syllabus
 Class Outline
• 01/08/04
– Dadra
• 01/15/04
– Kaherva
• 01/22/04
– Tintaal
• 01/29/04
– Accompaniment
 Origin of Tabla
• [Most Popular Theory] Invented by Amir
Khusru, the 13th century scholar
• by dividing Mridanga/Pakhavaj, double ended,
skin-covered instrument
• [Controversy] Depicted in temple carvings dated
500 BC
• [One thing is for certain] Use in classical music
after coming together of Hindu and Muslim
Parts of Tabla (Terminology)

Bayan (Left) Tabla

Kudi Baddhi (Vadi) Gatta Lakdi

Gudri
Parts of Tabla (Terminology)

Syahi (Ink)
Maidan (Ground)
Chati
Gajra
 Basic Constructs (Terminology)
• Matra (Beat): Smallest unit of time
• Bol (Sound): Individual or collection of sound(s)
• Taal (Rhythmic Formation): Collection of Matra (Beats)
• Theka: Most basic form of any Taal defined by a
collection of bols.
– Sam: Starting point or first beat of the Taal
– Tali (Clap): When reciting a Taal in counting exercise, the beats
on which we clap
– Khali (Empty): When reciting a Taal in counting exercise, the
beats on which we wave
– Vibhag (Section): A Theka is divided into sections, each section
starts either with Tali or Khali
– Avartan (Cycle): From Sam to all Matras and back to Sam.
 Basic Constructs (Terminology)
• Laya: Velocity or Movement of the song or dance
– Vilambit (slow): Very slow rhythm, where the duration between
two beats is 2-3 seconds
– Madhya (Middle): Moderate pace rhythm, where the duration
between two beats is approximately one second
– Dhrut (Fast): Fast rhythm, where there are two or more beats in
one second

– Dugun: Twice the pace

– Chougun: Four times the pace
 Dadra (6 beats, 2 Sections, 1 Tali, 1 Khali)
Scripting (Bhatkhande Style)

1 2 3 4 5 6
Dha Dhi Na | Dha Tu Na ||
X O

X – Sam
O – Khali
| - Vibhag
|| - End of Taal
 Learning and Teaching Tabla
• Must understand basic Tabla (rhythm ) to
appreciate Indian Classical Music
• Vast Subject, these four weeks are just an
introduction
• Do not get frustrated, keep at it…