Indian Music Forums

Lateral Vs vertical movement PERCUSSIVE INSTRUMENTS
Reply
46 posts anahad 46 posts
anahad
Thanks Chaz
I completely understand and agree with your advice. I will be going with what my guru is teaching, I just wanted to get a second opinion as I will have to change my habits (Though I know I will have to keep them changing years from now as well) .
Thanks alien,scodoha actually both of you are correct and confirms to what my guru is teaching. Even with wrist steady there is a subtle unavoidable rotation on Z which he was trying to introduce as I was playing Tit Ta almost vertically like (Ti Ta) and it was a little awkward that way.
Thank you guys. Love this forum
- Anahad
Reply 0 0
anahad 46 posts
anahad
Its my request that all of you take a little time to answer these two questions. My sincere thanks in Advance.
Due to change in job location I recently had to change my teacher. My new teacher (who is undoubtedly a very talented player) has two things to say which contradict with my little knowledge so far. So I would really appreciate if you people take some time out to answer them. Also give your answers considering that I am at the beginners stage as the answers may be different for some senior players.

1. My earlier teacher made me to practice Tabla while reciting the bols. He asked me to synchronize what I speak (and listen and see at the same time) exactly with what I play to help me grasp that eventually my mind and not my hand will drive my beats. I practiced that way for almost a year. But the new teacher though he emphasise that I should remember and practice speaking all bols beforehand discourages me to speak them while playing. Which do you people think is the correct way?

2. In the beginning of the question I would like to clear that my present guru is very good in emphasizing the economy of movement, means keeping wrist steady and only fingures movement etc. He brutally cut shorts any unnecessary movement, but lately he is trying to introduce a little lateral movement to my Tit Ta (Three fingures and index). Again this has to be very subtle so its not about economy of movement. but when the index fingure has to strike, the rest of the three fingures should give way by moving a little laterally(side ways) as oppose to Ti Ta in which middle finger moves vertically up to give way. This according to him will be very help ful in Tir Kita and also in some other complex bols.

Though I am sure that he is correct, and I respect him a lot but I am asking because it contradicts to my understanding so far.
- Anahad
Reply 0 0
scodoha 302 posts
scodoha
Let's apply some 3D space logic to the question. From elbow to finger we'll call the Z axis, vertically is the Y axis and thumb to pinkie direction is the X axis. Rotation around the Z axis is what you want. Movement in the X direction or rotation around the Y axis is not what you want though some of this is unavoidable just because of hand mechanics. Rotation around the X axis is the basic movement on the bayan.
Reply 0 0
anahad 46 posts
anahad
Thanks Scodoha
Can you please elaborate furthur on one point.
1. The rotation in Z Axis is only for fingures the wrist is steady ( or very minimal). right because if you really rotate around Z axis the wrist will also have to move??
- Anahad
Reply 0 0
scodoha 302 posts
scodoha
You wrote "lately he is trying to introduce a little lateral movement to my Tit Ta". I believe that this is what he's trying to convey to you. Not lateral but rotational. I was trying to make clear the economy of movement and what is actually taking place. The wrist's rotation is brought about by the radius and ulna bones. As an exercise try laying the dayan on it's side and play it like a pakhawaj, the radius and ulna are then in a more relaxed position and you will get a different kinesiological feeling in your arm which may help with the concept.The fingers don't rotate around the Z axis and are controlled by tendons originating in the arm. Any force and speed has to employ the wrist process.

I was never instilled with bol repetition but through time I've found it most helpful and I do it often unconsciously or at least without premeditation.
Reply 0 0
Chaz 147 posts
Chaz
anahad, I personally think that you should follow your current teacher's advice and play as he says to. The best reason for this is that you may be taking lessons with him for a long time, and you can't rightly ignore his advice without compromising his ability to teach you. Second, you have the choice here between learning from a real, live teacher and what is essentially an internet resource; I personally think you should opt for the former. If your teacher has what you want, then I suggest that you trust him.

I think it's important to remember that there are many correct ways of practicing and playing tabla. If your first teacher was an excellent player, and so is the second, then they serve as proof of this!
Reply 0 0
alien 18 posts
alien
Hello,

1. I was taught to follow this sequence:

- Catch (learn) the composition by bols
- Recite bols
- Play and recite bols slowly
- Gradually speed up
- When can't pronounce 'cause of speed, stop reciting ;-)
- Then just play (in this phase, bols will bepresent in your head, you can't even 'switch it off')

2. A rule was to practice mainly kaidas at the beginning. While playing kaidas, I have to try to approach 100% fingers movement, and no ZXY axis at all. Of course, it will never happen. It's not a goal to actually reach, instead it's a training and practice to keep in mind always and to develop in.
Other genres of compositins are allowed to be played more loosely for me, from scratch.
Reply 0 0
Reply