Terminology
- Ustad or Pandit - a master of the tabla technique and gharana, or school.
- Gharana - any of the six schools (Punjab, Delhi, Benares, Ajrara, Lucknow, Farukhabad) of tabla.
- Syahi - the black spots on the tabla, also called gab. Composed of a dried paste derived from iron filings and applied in several separate layers to the head of the drum.
- Keenar - the outer ring of skin on the head of each of the two tabla drums. In Hindi, known as the chat.
- Sur - The area between the gaab and the keenar. In Hindi, known as the maidan.
- Bol - both mnemonic syllables and a series of notes produced when stroked. E.g. Na, tin, Dha, Dhin, Ge, Ke, etc.
- Theka - a standard series of bols that form the rhythmic basis of tabla accompaniment for a given tala.
- Rela - a sort of rapid drum-roll.
- Chutta or beeda - the cushions used when placing the tabla.
- Baj, Baaj, or Baaz - a style of playing, different from the gharānā. Two main styles developed, Purbi Baj and Dilli Baj. Dilli, or Delhi, baj is the *style of bols and playing that originated in the city of Delhi. Purbi (meaning "eastern") developed in the area east of delhi. Both have different ways to play bols.
- Bāyāñ or Duggi- The metal drum providing the bass notes in tabla.
- Dayan or Tabla - The wooden drum providing the treble notes in tabla.
- Lay (or Laya) - tempo.
- Tala (or Tāl) - rhythm cycle; meter. Example: Dadra Tala, Ada Chautal, Teental, and the most common, Keherwa.
- Sam - the first beat of a tāl.
- Vibhag - Taal division.
- Tāli - clap.
- Khali - off or no claps.
- Gatta - Wooden dowels used to control the tension.
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