How hard is it to learn Tabla?

Most people will say that tabla is a very difficult instrument to play. However, after learning for over three decades, and teaching students across the globe, I can say that learning Tabla is super easy. Here is a video of a child accompanying a bhajan

Do you like what you see? How complex do you think learning Tabla is now? Look at how easy he makes it feel. You might say that it must be in his genes or he must be a natural and so on. But there is more to it than just genetics. He is enjoying the rhythm, he is engrossed in the process and does not worry about technicalities. He is creating music ! As long as you keep your learning as simple as this, Tabla will be easy. 

Of course, there are a lot of other factors that can contribute to this process, but the most essential part is YOU. It is going to take time to generate power in the fingers to get the right sound. It will take some time to build stamina to play for long hours, it will need focused practice if you want to play intricate compositions. As long as you make all of this interesting, you do not need to worry. 

Another key ingredient is the Guru (Teacher). Depending on your age, your strengths and inclination, time available for practice etc. a good guru will be able to suggest customized approaches to keep you interested. Keep your expectations moderate as you start, do not hurry, enjoy the process and be consistent throughout your learning. Do not worry and take the plunge in this amazing world of rhythm. Tabla IS easy to learn ! 

Check out my other blogs that explain how to practice based on different age groups and the time available. It will help you understand your options and help you make most of your time

You can start your journey by enrolling for The Tabla for Beginners course series.