tablas

Meanings

1. 1nounpluralmusic

   A pair of small hand drums of different sizes from northern India, played with the fingers and palms.

   Grammar: Plural of tabla: the tablas sound crisp. Often treated as a set.

   Patterns

   • play the tablas
   • tablas and sitar

   The musician tuned the tablas before the concert began.

   Her fingers danced across the tablas in a rapid rhythm.

   The tablas gave the song a deep, steady pulse.

2. 2nounpluralmusic

   More than one set of these drums, for example in a class or ensemble.

   Grammar: Used for several complete sets: the school bought six tablas.

   Patterns

   • rows of tablas

   The workshop had ten tablas for the students to use.

   Two tablas stood on the stage next to the harmonium.

   He collects tablas from different makers.

Word forms

Common combinations

play the tablas

She has played the tablas since she was eight.

tablas and sitar

The duet of tablas and sitar filled the hall.

tablas solo

The concert ended with a tablas solo.

tune the tablas

He tunes the tablas with a small hammer.

tablas player

The tablas player kept perfect time.

Synonyms and how they differ

hand drums

Hand drums covers many drums played by hand, whereas tablas names a specific Indian pair.

bongos

Bongos are a Latin American pair of drums joined together, while tablas are separate and played with a different technique.

dhol

A dhol is a large double-headed drum played with sticks, so it is louder and bigger than the tablas.

Word family

tabla noun

the pair of drums seen as one instrument

tabla player noun

a musician who plays them

bayan noun

the larger bass drum of the pair

dayan noun

the smaller treble drum of the pair

Commonly confused: tablas or tables?

Practice

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