Tabla
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Tabla are the principal drums used in the classical music of North India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The two drums which go to make up the tabla are called tabla and baya. They accompany vocal and instrumental music as well as dance music. Performers choose drums according to the size of their hands, and also the pitch required.
| Family |
| Percussions |
| Pitch range |
| On the baya, at least one octave. |
| Material |
| The shell of the drum is made from earthenware, wood, or metal. |
| Size |
| The tabla is about 11 in (27 cm) long ; the baya is 10 in (26 cm) long. |
| Origins |
| The two drums of the modern tabla are first documented in two court paintings, dating from late 18th-century Delhi and the Punjab. |
| Classification |
| Membranophone: an instrument that produces its sound by the vibration of a stretched skin. |
| And also... |
| Playing the Indian tabla is a highly skilled profession : the musician uses every joint and knuckle of the fingers. |
