Tabla

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Tabla drums demo (file from Commons Media of the Day)

The tabla (Hindi: तबला, Bengali: তবলা, Urdu: طبلہ}, tablā from Arabic: طبل، طبلة, tabl, tabla) is an Indian drum used for North Indian Music.[1] The tabla invention is found in India. It is also used for classical, popular and devotional music of Pakistan. The instrument is two hand drums of different size and shape, similar to bongos. They make different sounds. The drums are treble and bass drum.

Tabla is played hitting the fingers on the drum head and sliding the palm to create a modulating sound. A lot of sounds can be created from the tabla by changing how you use your hands.

The tabla originated from the a more ancient cylindrical drum called the Pakhawaj.[2]

Zakir Hussain is a notable tabla player. There are different Gharanas or houses of tabla. Zakir Hussain's style is of the Punjab Gharana.[3]

Another notable tabla player is Ibrahim Ibrahimi, form Afghanistan.

References[change | change source]

  1. "Tarang's World of Tabla". Archived from the original on 15 December 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  2. David Courtney. "Basic Overview of the Tabla". Archived from the original on 19 June 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  3. "Zakir Hussain". Retrieved 28 January 2013.