The Future of Tabla Design: Transtabla – Part 2

By Robin Sukhadia | www.Tablapusher.com

We learned in last week’s article on the Future of Tabla Design that Tabla, like all musical instruments, has undergone changes in its design that parallel advances in technology as well as the changing tastes and demands of audiences over centuries of time. Tabla today is a reflection of the increasingly global acceptance and importance of the instrument. Tabla continues to remain comfortable as the accompaniment instrument of choice for classical north Indian instrumental and vocal music. In addition to that role, however, Tabla finds itself integrating more deeply with electronic, hip-hop, western classical, and world music of all genres.

With this growing responsibility and versatility comes a need for the instrument to evolve physically. Tabla needs to be easier to tune. It needs to be easier to mic and capture in recordings. It needs to be easier to transport. The solution lies in design. The latest advances in materials, design and technology are helping poise Tabla for the next 100 years.

Innovators like David Yovino are pushing Tabla forward by rethinking the most fundamental aspects of the drum’s design. David’s TransTabla system, now in its final week on Kickstarter: http://kck.st/WiuStF aims to raise $10,000 to fund the incorporation of a tuning system that will improve Tabla’s ability to adjust and stay in tune, while improving the quality of the sound.

I caught up with David in Los Angeles, California to learn more about his motivations behind TransTabla and the goals of his Kickstarter campaign:

What excites you most about the future of Tabla?

The possibilities that have yet to be unlocked in this incredibly futuristic yet ancient instrument. I love not only its sound, but the way it is learned, the phrasing of rhythms. The physicality of the drum is another area of opportunity for enhancements through technology and experimentation.

What interests you the most about Tabla’s history and past?

I marvel at how someone came up with the drumheads. There is so much involved! Just the Gab (black spot) alone required an incredibly specific and time consuming process. I know the logic started with wanting to create permanent “dough” like on a Pakawaj head, but it’s still amazing how it came about.