((( WESTERN TABLAS )))

I've developed my own personal style

of Indian Tabla Drum playing that I call:

WESTERN TABLAS

It combines traditional Tabla with Latin Conga style of playing

In Indian music the high Tabla is usually tuned to the note C or C#

I find that to be inadequate for Western playing which centers around the note:

A 440

So I tune my high Tabla to A and my lower Tabala Baya drum to E if not microphoned

or D if using a microphone. The lower the note the less volume you get from the drum

By using the A and E or D tuning it puts the Tabla drums in tune

with standard Western music. Plus it puts less strain on the head of the drum

If you have never replaced a Tabla drum head

TRUST ME, YOU DON'T WANT TO!!!!

It is hell to do and, if possible,

I NEVER, EVER WANT TO CHANGE A TABLA HEAD AGAIN

FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!!!!!

Towards this end I do something not recommended

I periodically treat the heads with coconut oil

I do this to keep the heads moisturized

If this is not done the heads will dry out and crack

and you will have to change them

The high drum may not ring as crisp,

but that can be compensated for

by turning up the treble when using a microphone on the drum

I've read that Indian Tabla Drums

are considered deities by many

and I can understand why

THEY ARE ALIVE!!

I now remember that I call them "My Babies"


When I haven't played them for a while

they have to be 'woken up'

This can take a few days of pampering

Now that they are finally awake again

I remember why I don't like to play them


((( THE TALCUM POWDER!!!! )))


It's used on the big Baya drum and it's messy!!

I DON'T LIKE TO USE IT

and because I don't like to use the talcum powder

I end up not playing the drums

AND THAT'S NOT RIGHT!!!!


So, I'm modifying my style

I'm creating a new tabla style that requires

NO TALCUM POWDER!!!!

Except for, maybe, when recording


I should mention that another problem with Tablas

is that to play like the master Zakir Hussain

requires that you play each drum

as though you are using two-hands

This is for the fast, flashy stuff

Try to imagine what it would be like

for a Latin conga player to do rolls on the conga drum

with one-hand

NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!!

The conga player does fast rolls

WITH TWO-HANDS!!!

and that's how I do them with my

WESTERN TABLA STYLE


Also, I base my melodies

on Western dance 4/4 rhythms

not Indian insane 16/4 and whatnot time signatures


It's really ridiculous and the Western mindset

does not think in such outrageous rhythms

((( BLAZING SADDLES )))

He rode a blazing saddle

He wore a shining star

His job to offer battle

To bad men near and far

He conquered fear and he conquered hate

He turned our night into day

He made his blazing saddle

A torch to light the way

When outlaws rule the West

And fear fills the land

A cry went up for a man with guts

To take the West in hand

They needed a man who was brave and true

With justice for all as his aim

Then out of the sun rode a man with a gun

And Bart was his name, yes, Bart was his name

*New Karaoke Song