Mel Bay Learning the Tabla Book/CD Set

By David Courtney

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786607815
• ISBN13: 9780786607815
• Release Date: November 2001
• Publisher: Mel Bay Publications, Inc.
• Length: 80 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.5" x 0.3" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

The Best Beginner Method Book for Speakers of English

David Courtney has enough skills to be a Tabla Guru and he speaks/writes English like a native son. That is no small accomplishment to those of us who do not speak Hindustani yet are interested in learning about Tabla Drums and more importantly, how to play them. As a former band teacher, I recognize well done progressive music lessons when I see them. The Indian Culture is a bit daunting to delve into as is the language and even if you're not interested in that, some small portion is needed to learn Tabla drumming even from the beginning. There is not really an English translation for most of the drum parts and techniques, so beginners often find themselves confused unless they have a private teacher. Tabla Instructors are pretty rare in the US, so I appreciate a self teaching method book that is easily understood and the Author is a very good instructor (not just everyone can teach....trust me). If you intend to learn tabla, start here. Practice daily and work your way through the Volume one until you can play the exercises without hesitation (not necessarily fast, just steady). Use the supplied CD (or website) to listen to the musical samples and try to mimic those sounds on the drums. When you can do that start searching for David Courtney's 2nd Volume (Still produced by Mel Bay) and continue. The 2nd Book is roughly an intermediate level method book and once you've mastered them both, then you'll need to find tabla compositions online or in print and simply learn the advanced things as you encounter them by playing the literature. At that point you may be able to find live musicians who are willing to let you sit in with them. It is a long road and does not come easily (like anything worthwhile). but this book is a great start.