Re-heading a Tabla

Tabla Head

Re-heading a tabla is not an easy undertaking. It involves removing the old head and re-placing with a new one that fits the particular tabla shell. The inside measurement of the tabla head diameter should be the same as the diameter of the tabla shell top from outside edge to edge.

This may sound simple, but it actually takes a lot of skill. If you have never re-headed a tabla, it is best to seek out a professional tabla player or teacher who can help you in person. For those who don't have that resource available, below is a series of videos from created by Kalyan Godden at Ali Akhbar College of Music in California, USA, as a step-by-step guide through the process.

Re-head at your own risk! You will observe in the videos that this is an very extensive process using sharp tools and fragile parts. If you are inexperienced you could damage your instrument, so be warned!

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

PART 5