Mel Bay Learning the Tabla Book/CD Set [Paperback]

David Courtney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 21, 2001

The tabla, a hand drum which originated in India, has become very popular throughout the world. This method covers everything you need to know to learn to play the tabla, including the history and parts of the tabla, tuning and maintenance, positioning, basic exercises, and numerous techniques and patterns. A glossary is included to help the student decipher the many mnemonics and foreign terms which are essential to the tradition of the tabla. The accompanying CD illustrates many of the exercises, so that this book may be used either with or without a teacher.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Mel Bay Publications (November 21, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786607815
• ISBN-13: 978-0786607815
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #827,430 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Intro Book!, February 14, 2002

By 

Gary L. Salamone (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mel Bay Learning the Tabla Book/CD Set (Paperback)

The popularity of the tabla is evident in many forms of music today be it Indian or some form of contemporary, jazz, or fusion. This book is designed for the beginner to intermediate student and features an indexed CD that lets you hear the correct sounds of the tabla notes as well as sample exercises. The book is not bloated with excess details but gets right down to the important fundamentals of how the tabla is played, the finger stokes, the word for that stroke and the concept of time as the notes are played together. Not everyone has access to a teacher and this book will do an excellent job of introducing the student to the tabla as well as providing a reference for advancement. Finger positions are illustrated in the book and the 95 sound samples on the CD help to make this book an enjoyable, affordable, and valuable introduction to the tabla.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Into. The best book so far, May 7, 2007

By 

Tabla Student - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mel Bay Learning the Tabla Book/CD Set (Paperback)

I have been searching for a good tabla book for the past serveral years and this is by far the best one. Of course, a DVD should be included in the future, but for now, this is a great start. David goes into detail about the histry of the tabla and also defines the differences in Dilhi and Purpi techniques. He also stresses the importance of correct prononciation and encourages you to learn the hindi script as opposed to english translations of the the bols. Awesome book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, structured start for tabla learners, April 25, 2008

By 

Glenn "BookMurph" (Raleigh, NC, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mel Bay Learning the Tabla Book/CD Set (Paperback)

The exercises of this book are well strucured and easy to follow for a complete beginner. The CD tones can be a little difficult to distinguish, but you get the idea of where the rhythm is going, so the CD is generally helpful if you can follow the text with it.
You still need a tabla teacher to show you technique (in order to make the tones in the first place), but this is a good text to learn from on your own in between lessons.