Tabla terminology
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Words associated with the tabla:
- Ustad' - a master of the tabla technique and gharānā, or school. Hindus are referred to as Pandit.
- Gharānā - any of the six schools (Punjab gharana, Delhi gharana, Benares, Ajrara, Lucknow, Farukhabad) of tabla.
- Syahi - the black spots on the tabla, also called gaab. Composed of a dried paste derived from iron filings and applied in several separate layers to the head of the drum.
- Keenar - the outer ring of skin on the head of each of the two tabla drums.
- Sun - The area between the gaab and the keenar.
- bol - both mnemonic syllables and a series of notes produced when stroked. E.g. Na, tin, Dha, Dhin, Ge, Ke, etc.
- Theka - a standard series of bols that form the rhythmic basis of tabla accompaniment for a given tala.
- Rela - a sort of rapid drum-roll
- Chutta - the cushions used when placing the tabla.
- Baj, Baaj, or Baaz - a style of playing, different from the gharānā. Two main styles developed, Purbi Baj and Dilli Baj. Dilli, or Delhi, baj is the *style of bols and playing that originated in the city of Delhi. Purbi (meaning "eastern") developed in the area east of delhi. Both have different ways to play bols.
- Bayan- The left metal drum providing the base notes in tabla
- Dayan - The right wooden drum providing the treble notes in tabla
- Lay (A.K.A "Laya")' - tempo
- tala - meter. Example: Dadra Tala, Ada Chautal, Teental, and the most common, kehavra
- Vibhag Section of a tabla taal where bols can be placed
- Thali - A vibhag signified by a clap
- Khali - A vibhag signified by waving of the hands
- Ghatta - These are the wooden dowels used to control the tension
