Tabla

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The Tabla is really a two drum set. The cylindrical, wooden drum is played with the right hand. This drum is called the Dayan, Dahina, or the Tabla. These Dayan are usually carved of toon or rosewood wood. They are approximately 9-10 inches tall and have a head diameter of 6 inches. Expect considerable variation in the head diameter, and be specific about the diameter of your drum when ordering replacement heads. The base of the drum has a slightly larger diameter that the open head.

The "left hand" drum is slightly conical and bowl shaped. This drum can be made of metal, wood, or ceramic. It is called the Bayan, Duggi, or Dagga. These are approximately 10 inches high and have a head diameter of roughly 10 inches

The heads of both the dayan and the bayan are multi layered goatskin called a puddi. They are made on multi-layered membranes. Think of the main skin as a circle. It has a diameter sufficient to overlap the opening of the drum by one to two inches. Now imagine two skins that have the same diameter as the main skin, but they have had their centers cut out. The main skin is sandwiched between these two donut-shaped skins. These donut-shaped skins cover only the outer edge of the main skin. Near the center of the head, is a black spot, the siyahi. The phonetic name of this spot is the Cee-Hi. This black raised area is applied in layers, and is usually made of rice, glue, graphite, and iron fillings. The siyahi is essential to the sound of the tabla. Be careful not to allow the siyahi to become damp, this will loosen the layers. Once the siyahi has been damaged the drum must be re-headed.

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