When someone hears the word Tabla in India, the immediate association is Zakir Hussain. From tapping out fast-paced rhythms, to having the ability to completely lose himself in the music, Hussain has been influencing individuals to take up this mesmerizing instrument for years now. While Hindustani music is not defined by the Tabla alone, it is heavily dependent on the instrument for the rhythm and the tempo.

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Taals of the Tabla:

The taals or the rhythm of the beat are important when trying to maintain the note and the tone of a song. While the Tabla and other instruments or vocals can all be used for solo performances, it is the ability of the Tabla to maintain the taal that keeps a song grounded when there’s a combination of instruments and vocals. The taals provided by a Tabla have a deep and booming resonating sound, which is adjusted by the player with the heel of the hand.

Laya of the Tabla:

The speed or tempo at which a song is rendered is called the Laya. This is often determined by the Tabla. A Tabla not just functions as a musical instrument by itself, it is also often used as a metronome, keeping time for a singer or a sitar-player or musician in general.

Why the Tabla

A lot of people have an unquenchable desire to beat out tunes on tables, on books, desktops in schools, a makeshift percussion instrument. Putting this talent and rhythm to use, is the Tabla. The Tabla is generally chosen by those who have the ability to lose themselves completely in the music.

A Persian influenced instrument, which also has roots in Indian classical percussion instruments, the Tabla has the enchanting ability to transform an environment into an electric and lively one. You can learn to play the Tabla online at ipassio.com, where you will be taught the nuances of Hindustani music through the lessons.

How mastering the Tabla can help

Understanding the technical nuances while you learn Tabla online can take you far in Hindustani music overall. Since Hindustani classical music is heavily dependant on beats and rhythm, mastering the Tabla can help you master Hindustani music itself. There are no instruments more important than the other, but the technique of the Tabla can open the doors of understanding Hindustani music overall.

Basic Tabla lessons cover how to hold the instrument, how to tune it and understanding the different sounds on different areas of the Tablas. There is a significant size difference and shape difference between the Daya and Baya Tablas, which produces different qualities, tones and notes. The player’s heel of the hands versus fingers also create different sounds. This control and difference is what is taught in the basic level.

In ipassio.com, a student gets the edge of having a professional maestro taking live one-on-one lessons. Learning the basics and practicing them will take students a long way in being able to create magic with the Tabla, as well as dive deep into the world of Hindustani classical music.