Thursday, December 21, 2017

Construction of the Indian Tabla


An experienced anesthesiologist, Dr. Aarohi Ambardekar is a partner in Southern Maryland Anesthesia Associates. In his free time, Dr. Aarohi Ambardekar enjoys playing the tabla.

A percussion instrument from the Indian classical tradition, the tabla consists of two drums. The larger is known as the bayan, or big bass drum, and is made of copper with chrome plating. The smaller drum, made of wood, is known as the dayan, though it may also be called “tabla” as an independent instrument.

Both drums feature a closed bottom and an open top over which stretches goatskin leather. A second skin, known as the kani, attaches to the edge of the skin, and the middle features a black circle known as the GAB. Made of iron fillings as well as filler materials like gum, soot, or rice-flour paste, the GAB gives the instrument its unique sound and allows for variations in pitch and timbre.

The musician can tune his or her drums by manipulating the tuning wedges, which attach to the drums with leather straps at the sides. By beating the wedges upward, the musician makes the sound lower, while beating them downward creates a higher sound.