| As a Tabla player for more than eight years and as | | | | studios for a Latin band called Puro Mambo. I took all |
| of a few years now, a player of several other drums | | | | the percussion instruments I had; both big and small, |
| stemming from Africa to Asia, South America to | | | | however they seemed to only want the Latin |
| Australia, I feel that the label "multi-percussionist" has | | | | instruments. I disagreed and took out my Tabla. |
| been used on me by many, rather than just a "Tabla | | | | Although they first seemed rather sceptical, the final |
| player" and so I want to explore more and find out | | | | output with the bouncing sounds I produced from |
| exactly what percussion is to me. | | | | the Tabla were much more sweeter and jelled |
| Percussion is a huge, unwieldy topic; looking at every | | | | perfectly. |
| type of drumming in every culture on Earth at once | | | | This for me proves that the Tabla is my king of the |
| is an impossible undertaking. However, the wonderful | | | | percussion. I think here I pay tribute to the most |
| thing about our chosen instrument family is, | | | | important legend that has made music the most |
| everything rhythmic is relevant to what we do. | | | | important thing in my life and that is Pandit Sharda |
| The world of percussion is truly amazing. Drum kit | | | | Sahai, my guru-jee. From the Tabla, I went to other |
| players can learn from congueros, Bodhran | | | | teachers of different instruments and mastered |
| enthusiasts from Dumbek dance accompanists, | | | | other drums. All other drums have simple beats and |
| rudimental drummers from the rhythms of African | | | | rhythms, but with the skills I have from the Tabla, I |
| tribes. It can go on and on. Just take the amount of | | | | am able to improvise drastically on simple drums to |
| dances we can learn with our fingers on the Tabla | | | | create juxtaposing sounds. |
| and the variety of beats that come through. | | | | For those who learn the Tabla, I wish you well and |
| Today we have an unprecedented opportunity to | | | | urge you to continue with that before touching upon |
| explore the instruments, rhythms and concepts of a | | | | any other instruments. For those who want to learn |
| variety of cultures and incorporate those ideas into | | | | the Tabla, I urge you to make your decision quick |
| our own playing, regardless of genre. As an Asian | | | | and advice not to think about other instruments yet. |
| multi-percussionist, I believe in learning from all the | | | | The Tabla will be your guidance into other |
| generations of drummers who applied stick, hand, or | | | | instruments. Master the Tabla and you can play any |
| other implements to skin, stone, wood, metal or | | | | instrument just by picking it up. It really is true. |
| plastic before me. | | | | Coming to a close, I'd like to share a great, quick |
| Personally, it has been the Tabla that has driven all | | | | exercise. Find a quiet room, sit quietly and relaxed, |
| my other percussions. Learning both classical and folk | | | | and just listen. Listen out for your heartbeat. Place a |
| Tabla and consistently listening to music all the time, | | | | hand on your chest and feel the rhythm. The |
| has allowed me to master dozens of beats and | | | | heartbeat is the mega-rhythm that connects us all, |
| rhythms from all around the world mentally before | | | | yet no two heartbeats are exactly alike. Live in that |
| getting out the drums and experimenting on them | | | | rhythm for a minute or two, and then play it on your |
| for the purest sounds. | | | | knee. Play it, and then play variations on it. Use both |
| The real secret to being a great drummer, and | | | | hands. Feel the music of your body. |
| something I've learnt and have been working on for | | | | Exciting, isn't it? A constantly playing percussion |
| a long while is essentially really simple. And, I'm not | | | | instrument right inside you, accessible any time you |
| going to say PRACTICE, because that's pretty | | | | can be quiet and concentrate on it. Add in the |
| obvious anyway. The secret is to listen to music. | | | | rhythms of your circulatory and respiratory systems, |
| Listen to all genres of music, be it heavy metal, rock, | | | | and you have a percussion ensemble playing to the |
| soft sounds, pan pipes, R&B, hip hop, jazz, soul, | | | | tempo of your life. |
| funk, folk, classical, etc. By doing this, you develop a | | | | Until next time, focus on the rhythms in your body |
| rhythmical ear that can adjust to all music and pick up | | | | and all around you - traffic, machinery, other people, |
| on anything. | | | | the sounds of nature. Rhythms are everywhere, and |
| Let me share with you a recent example. Back in July | | | | everything is informed by rhythm. Tap into that, and |
| 2005, I was recording as a percussionist in the | | | | your playing will benefit. |