Tabla Terminology and Basic Concepts
This section covers tabla terminology and basic concepts: the words used to name the instrument, its strokes, and positions inside a rhythmic cycle. PSEB Matric questions test precise definitions and the ability to use them in a sentence, not just recite lists.
Instrument and stroke terms
- Tabla is the pair: daya (right-hand treble drum) and bayan (left-hand bass drum). The daya is also called tabla in narrow usage; the bayan is duggi in some regions.
- Syahi is the black central patch; maidan is the clear skin between syahi and kinar (rim); chat is the outer edge; gajra is the braided rim.
- A bol is a spoken drum syllable. Dha is a compound bol: right-hand Na plus left-hand Ge. Dhin is Tin plus Ge.
Cycle terms
Tala is a cycle; matra is one beat; vibhag is a group of matras; sam is the first and most important matra; tali is a clap point; khali is a wave point; avartan is one complete cycle. Theka is the standard bol pattern for accompaniment.
Worked example
A question asks why Dha is described as a compound bol. Reason: Dha is not made by one hand alone; the right hand plays Na and the left hand adds Ge on the bayan. Therefore Dha carries both treble and bass, and in notation it can mark a tali or sam with full sound. If only Na were played, the bass would be missing and the bol would be wrong.
Traps that cost marks
Do not confuse tali with sam: every sam is a tali in many talas, but not every tali is sam. Do not call khali “silence”; it is a wave and usually a lighter bol. Do not mix syahi with maidan. Do not write Dha as a single-hand stroke.