A Tabla refers to a South Asian Membranophone under the Percussion Instrument classification and it commonly consists of a Bayan (larger drum) and a Dayan (smaller drum). These musical instruments have strings for keeping the tones compact and quality. Typically, the Dayan contains adjustable tuning wooden rollers to settle the high or low pitch of this particular drum.
Many people are interested in playing and acknowledging these traditional percussion instruments as their tribute to Indian music. However, you should know what brands to look for in buying Tablas so that you will surely get an authentic handicraft of these.
You can visit these products offered by trusted brands namely Maharaja Musicals, Mukta Das, Vhatkar, Chopra, Akbar Mian & Bros, and Meinl Percussion. Have a chance to take a look at their product details and choose the best for you.
Contents
Best Tablas to Choose for Professionals, Students, and Beginners
#1. MAHARAJA Musicals Student Tabla Set
This traditional percussion instrument is marked as the best seller as one of the products of Maharaja Musicals. Their Tabla was hand-built with quality and genuine skins and not made through any machine. Typically, the Bayan was made with metal while the Dayan was made of Sheesham wood.
These musical instruments were durable and reliable as to their tuning modes. Both have their complementary sounds as to each other in which Bayan produces bass tones while Dayan releases treble tones with #C and #D modulations. The Gatta (circular wooden blocks) found at the side of Dayan can be used for tuning the tabla.
As to their appearance, both of these musical instruments imply sophistication and classical style. The price fixed in this musical set defines the quality of these instruments. It’s affordable and practical for your budget.
Special Features:
Bayan (Larger Drum)
- High-Quality Hand-made Puddi (Drumhead)
- Produces Bass Tones
- Height: 10 to 11 Inches
- Available Color: Silver Kuri (Shell)
Dayan (Smaller Drum)
- High-Quality Hand-crafted Puddi (Drumhead)
- Tuned to C# and D#
- Produces Treble Tones
- Available Color: Dark Brown Lakri (Shell)
General Information
- Includes Extra Accessories – Cushion & Covers
- Learn Tabla Book
- Tuning Hammer
- Imported from India
#2. MAHARAJA Tabla Drum Set
Learn South Asian Indian Music through the use of Tabla. Maharaja Musicals is an authorized dealer of this percussion instrument and it offers a standard price for this set. These drums were constructed by bare hands using authentic materials. The Bayan was infused with brass while the Dayan was derived from Sheesham wood.
The sound variations of these percussion instruments are perfect as to each other since the Bayan can emit bass and deep tones while the Dayan releases treble tones that were tuned to #C and #D musical pitches. When it comes to the proper tuning of the Tabla, you may adjust the Gatta of the Dayan for high and low pitches.
The drum set’s appearance looks elegant due to its color and design. The Bayan contains Aztec and striped prints while the Dayan has only striped designs.
Special Features:
Bayan (Larger Drum)
- High-Quality Hand-made Puddi (head)
- Made with Brass
- Produces Bass Tones
- Drum Head: 9 to 9.25 inches
- Weight: 2.5 to 3 kg
- Height: 10 to 11 Inches
- Available Color: Black Kuri (Shell)
Dayan (Smaller Drum)
- High-Quality Hand-crafted Puddi (head)
- Tuned to C# and D#
- Produces Treble Tones
- Drum Head: 5 to 5.5 inches
- Weight: 3 to 4 kg
- Available Color: Dark Brown Lakri (Shell)
General Information
- Includes Extra Accessories – Cushion & Covers
- Learn Tabla Book
- Tuning Hammer
- Imported from India
#3. Mukta Das Concert Tabla Drum Set
Do you prefer a copper-made Bayan? You may try the musical instruments of Mukta Das and take a look at their Tablas. Generally, these drums were made from genuine skin and crafted by bare hands. The Bayan was built using copper and chrome while the Dayan was constructed using Sheesham wood.
In the case of sound variations, the Bayan produces bass tones while Dayan emits treble sounds. You may also adjust the tuning system of Tabla by raising or lowering the Gatta (cork-like blocks) which were located at the side of the Dayan.
Both of these percussion instruments were sophisticated as to their looks and style due to their color. Speaking of the price, this percussion set entails a bit higher cost than the first two products reviewed since the materials used were different from the first two items.
Special Features:
Bayan (Larger Drum)
- High-Quality Hand-made Puddi (head)
- Made with Copper
- Produces Bass Tones
- Drum Head: 9 to 9.25 inches
- Weight: 3.5 to 4 kg
- Height: 10 to 11 Inches
- Available Color: Silver Kuri (Shell)
Dayan (Smaller Drum)
- High-Quality Hand-crafted Puddi (head)
- Produces Treble Tones
- Drum Head: 5 to 5.5 inches
- Weight: 3 to 4 kg
- Available Color: Dark Brown Lakri (Shell)
General Information
- Includes Extra Accessories – Cushion & Covers
- Learn Tabla Book
- Tuning Hammer
#4. Haridas Vhatkar Tabla Drum Set
Acquire Vhatkar Tabla brands for professional percussion performance. Their Tabla set was constructed using authentic skin and quality handcrafted. The Bayan was made out of copper while the Dayan was built using Sheesham wood for its shell.
These Tablas can emit complementary sounds since the Bayan performs bass and deeper tones while the Dayan can produce treble tones tuned with #C pitch. The Dayan’s Gattas was also adjustable to find a nice pitch for your musical genre.
Overall, this product has the highest price among the products mentioned in this article due to their elegant handicraft display and sound variations but Vhaktar assures you the quality and professional performance of their drum set.
Special Features:
Bayan (Larger Drum)
- High-Quality Hand-made Puddi (head)
- Made with Copper
- Produces Bass Tones
- Drum Head: 9 to 9.25 inches
- Weight: 3 to 3.5 kg
- Height: 10 to 11 Inches
- Available Color: Silver Kuri (Shell)
Dayan (Smaller Drum)
- High-Quality Hand-crafted Puddi (head)
- Produces Treble Tones
- Tune to #C
- Drum Head: 5 to 5.5 inches
- Weight: 4 to 5 kg
- Available Color: Black Lakri (Shell)
General Information
- Includes Extra Accessories – Cushion & Covers
- Learn Tabla Book
- Tuning Hammer
#5. MAHARAJA Concert Designer Tabla Drum Set
Master the musical instrument of South Asia’s Tabla and grab this membranophone from Maharaja Musicals. Their drums were quality handcrafted with copper for Bayan and Sheesham wood for Dayan.
This drum set conveys a distinctive tune that portrays bass and deeper tones for Bayan while treble as well as #C and #D pitches for the Dayan. Make sure to adjust the tune of Dayan by raising or lowering the Gattas (circular cork-like blocks).
In totality, the appearance of the Bayan and Dayan connotes elegance because of their embedded and sculptured design. The Bayan contains floral embeds while the Dayan has a striped and traditional dark brown look. For the price of this set, it has the same standard price as the typical Tablas.
Special Features:
Bayan (Larger Drum)
- High-Quality Hand-made Puddi (head)
- Drum Head: 9 to 9.25 inches
- Weight: 4 to 4.5 kg
- Height: 10 to 11 Inches
- Available Color: Silver Kuri (Shell)
Dayan (Smaller Drum)
- High-Quality Hand-crafted Puddi (head)
- Drum Head: 5 to 6 inches
- Weight: 3 to 4 kg
- Available Color: Dark Brown Lakri (Shell)
General Information
- Includes Extra Accessories – Cushion & Covers
- Learn Tabla Book
- Tuning Hammer
- Padded Bag
#6. Chopra Student Tabla Drum Set
A percussion instrument brought by Chopra is ideal for students and beginners. This drum set contains authentic built Bayan and Dayan that enable to convey bass and treble tones respectively. Moreover, the Dayan can produce pitches consisting of sharp C and D chords.
It manifests handicraft-made Tablas in which they used steel for Bayan while Sheesham wood for the Dayan. Both musical instruments were built with quality genuine skins and not merely constructed using any machines.
You will definitely see the appearance of a classical Indian instrument portrayed on their appearance. Both instruments were polished and varnished with brown color to emphasize traditional drums.
Special Features:
Bayan (Larger Drum)
- High-Quality Hand-made Puddi (head)
- Drum Head: 9 to 9.25 inches
- Height: 10 to 11 Inches
- Available Color: Dark Brown Kuri (Shell)
Dayan (Smaller Drum)
- High-Quality Hand-crafted Puddi (head)
- Drum Head: 5 to 5.5 inches
- Available Color: Brown Lakri (Shell)
General Information
- Includes Extra Accessories – Cushion & Covers
- Learn Tabla Book
- Tuning Hammer
#7. AKBAR MIAN & BROS™ Copper Tabla Set
Improved your skills and knowledge when it comes to the traditional music and culture of South Asia by interpreting their musical accompaniments namely the Tabla. Akbar Mian & Bros is a trademark company that provides the finest Bayan and Dayan combinations.
They have produced quality hand-made Tablas that were built using authentic skin. The sounds released by their Tablas were also amazing as they convey bass and treble tones. You may also adjust the Gattas found at the side of Dayan for tuning mode purposes.
With regards to the outlook of the Tabla, it is decent and sophisticated to look at because of the shiny silver color of the Bayan and the dark brown color of Dayan. It is the second-highest price of the product reviewed in this context but Akbar Mian & Bros assures you the outstanding quality and functionality that you’re looking for in a Tabla.
Special Features:
Bayan (Larger Drum)
- High-Quality Hand-made Puddi (head)
- Drum Head: 9 to 9.25 inches
- Weight: 3.5 to 4 kg
- Height: 10 to 11 Inches
- Available Color: Silver Kuri (Shell)
Dayan (Smaller Drum)
- High-Quality Hand-crafted Puddi (head)
- Drum Head: 5 to 5.5 inches
- Weight: 3 to 4 kg
- Available Color: Black Lakri (Shell)
General Information
- Includes Extra Accessories – Cushion & Covers
- Learn Tabla Book
- Tuning Hammer
#8. Meinl Percussion TABLA Set
Pursue your music career and learn the preserved culture of South Asia’s Tabla. The Meinl Percussion has manufactured a Tabla set that was built using the authentic skin for the heads.
It consists of a traditional tuning system due to the rawhide leather and nylon strings. The Bayan was built using chrome-plated copper that contains goatskin. It was also designed with Aztec embeds to make it more stylish and modernized. On the other hand, the Dayan was constructed using rosewood for its shells.
Whether you’re in a dry or humid place, this Tabla can still produce deep and treble sounds. It’s an ideal musical instrument for students and beginners who wants to acknowledge Indian traditional music. The price is also budget-wise for a quality Tabla.
Special Features:
Bayan (Larger Drum)
- Drum Head: 8 1/2 inches
- Available Color: Silver Kuri (Shell)
Dayan (Smaller Drum)
- Drum Head: 5 1/2 inches
- Available Color: Brown Lakri (Shell)
General Information
- Made in USA or Imported
#9. Satnam Professional Steel Tabla Drum Set
If you’re looking for a professional tabla drum set that is also great for students and beginners, Satnam is a wise option for you. Aside from its very affordable price, it also comes with a music book that can guide you all throughout your beginner journey.
Satnam’s tabla drum set showcases both the classic and modern feel of tabla as it’s carefully handmade and partnered with steel. Its high-quality handmade skin also adds beauty to this drum.
Additionally, a tabla hammer and gig bag are also provided for you to easily handle the instrument and bring it accessibly anywhere.
Special Features:
Bayan (Larger Drum)
- Steel
- Larger Heavy Steel Drum
Dayan (Smaller Drum)
- Treble
- Wooden Drum
General Information
- Includes Extra Accessories – Cushion & Covers
- Tabla Hammer
- Music Book
- Weight: 22.1 pounds
- Overall Size: 24.8 x 14.5 x 13 inches
- Made in India
3 Practical Buying Useful Tips in Choosing a Tabla
You have to take note of the musical instruments’ features and materials used in manufacturing them prior to your purchase. It is significant to assess the origin, tonal variations, and appearance of Tablas so that you will be able to perform well using your drums.
For your budget, this is depending on the product that you choose since you can adjust your budget based on the drum that captures your satisfaction. Apply these basic guides in buying a particular Tabla drum set brands such as Maharaja Musicals, Mukta Das, Vhatkar, Chopra, Akbar Mian & Bros, and Meinl Percussion.
#1. Material Used for Building the Percussion Instrument
Check the materials used for the Tabla. Generally, professional artisans will use authentic animal skins like goat’s skin for the heads. In terms of the drums, they used brass, copper, or steel so that they will be durable and quality when played. The Dayan drum was typically built using wood, sometimes they used a Sheesham or Rosewood to produce its traditional sounds.
#2. Test the Sounds and Tuning System
You may simply visit a video clip or store and test the sounds of Tablas. Generally, a Bayan drum must have deep bass tones while the Dayan should have treble tones. These two musical accompaniments should complement the sounds that they produced since these were made to practically produce blending tones. Check the tuning system of Dayan if it can able to adjust the pitches from low to high tones.
#3. Appearance and Style of Tablas
Make sure to properly choose what would be the appearance of your drum set because this is a matter of self-selection. You have to determine if you want a traditional look of drums or choose a modernized outlook of the Tablas. Either way, the quality of sounds and functionalities were just the same.
