Tabla Bol Adaptions for Drums

Drumset Adaptations of North Indian Tabla By Jerry Leake

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he South Indian rhythm system of Carnatic music is based largely on mathematics for stringing together rhythm cells of various durations to fit a given rhythm cycle. The rhythm system of North India is based primarily on fixed, extended compositions rendered on North Indian tabla. The goal of this article is to adapt shorter tabla phrases into potent grooves for accompanying music in practical, real-world applications. Before presenting specific examples, here is some general background of North Indian music.

TERMINOLOGY

Dayan: Although the pair of drums is called tabla, the term “dayan” is applied to the high drum made from wood. Dayan literally means right or right drum. Bayan: The metal low drum that produces bass tones. Bayan literally means left or left drum. Bol: This means “word” and refers to the syllables that are an onomatopoetic representation of tabla sounds. Bol can also represent an entire composition. Tala: The rhythmic component of North Indian classical music performed on any percussion instrument such as tabla, pakhawaj, or naqqara. Sam (pronounced Sum): Beat one of a given rhythmic cycle, emphasized by a clap of the hand, notated using “+”. Bharee: The portion of a tabla phrase that is emphasized with bass tones of the bayan. Literally meaning “full.” Khali: the portion of a phrase not emphasized by bass bayan tones. Khali means “empty” and is indicated by a outward wave of the hand, notated using “o”. Matra: Meaning “stroke” or beat. Kinar: The outer portion of the dayan that is metallic in character. The kinar stroke (na/ta) is the most commonly used stroke on tabla. Sur: the harmonic tone (tin) that results when the dayan is struck directly between the kinar and the gab. Gab: Black circle for closed tones: tete/tira kita, made from rice powder and iron filings, formed into a paste, rubbed onto the goatskin in layers. RHYTHMIC CYCLES

Tintal: 16-beat cycle subdivided into four equal groups (4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 16) Jhaptal: 10-beat cycle subdivided into four groups (2 + 3 + 2 + 3 = 10) Kaharwa: 8-beat cycle subdivided into two equal groups (4 + 4 = 8) Rupak Tal: 7-beat cycle subdivided into three groups (3 + 2 + 2 = 7) Dadra Tal: 6-beat cycle subdivided into two equal groups (3 + 3 = 6). CLASSIFICATION OF TABLA BOLS

One of the more challenging and beautiful aspects of tabla is the use of spoken syllables (“bols”) to represent drum sounds. However, this language-based system can be somewhat daunting to students trained using drumset notation. Always try to speak each phrase clearly to grasp the inherent rhythmic “poetry.” Drumset variations are derived using a general categorization of tabla 3(5&866,9(127(6

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