Learning the Tabla: Volume 2 Paperback – January 26, 2015

I recommend the 1st book in the series, but when you are ready to learn more, this Volume 2 is the perfect companion. Any student of Tabla who does not have a Guru must be able to hear good examples of the instructed strokes and combinations. Book 1 has a CD for this purpose and Book 2 has a website where the mp3 examples can be listened to for learning purposes (free once you've purchased the book with the website published inside).As a former instrumental music teacher, I find the progression to be very good, the pictures are great and the narrow focus is necessary, so the young Tabla student does not get overwhelmed by these endlessly fascinating and complicated hand drums.

liked it all

Like any field of learning a good text book and a good teacher is fundamentally important. I have been using this book and its counterpart, Learning The Tabla, to acquire some basic skills in playing this amazing musical instrument. I began learning from teachers who used no reference books and expected me to memorize which I found an ineffective way of learning anything. That approach was completely out of tune with me who as a teacher of Physics and Electrical Engineering believes in learning by logic and intuition. In total frustration I searched for a suitable book and found two: 1. Introduction of Tabla; and 2. Introduction to Tabla, Vol. 2, both by Dr. David Courtney.These two books are excellent resources and should be made the compulsory books for any one who wants to learn to play Tabla. The audio CD and Online recording of exercises that accompany these books are invaluable tools to learn the correct way of playing bols, thekas, prakars etc. The second book (Vol.2) is more advanced than the first book. Here there are numerous examples of pharases, laggis, mukhada besides variety of prakars for each basic Theaka which must be mastered by anyone who wants to acquire some skills in playing Tabla. They are illustrated with recordings in which tabla is played with sitar. That makes even a simple theka sound beautiful and inspiring.My goal is to be able to play for personal satisfaction and for small circles of friends and family. And for that I think these two books will prepare me well. I highly recommend both these books for anyone who wants to learn how to play Tabla the correct way.Dr. R. K. PandeyAustin, TXDecember 13, 2018

I was familiar with most of the content before I bought the book - I wanted it as a convenient reference. David is a fantastic writer and the illustrations and examples are well-chosen and clear. Unfortunately the editing is lousy - the book looks like a dog's dinner. Mr Mel Bay can you please investigate the concept of white space, and are you sure you want your reader to have to scan lines 20 words long?