Tabla Cleaning & Maintenance

Overtime tabla heads get a build up of sweat, powder, skin cells and grim which become more and more visable over time. Not only does your drum look dirty but the overall sound it effected as the vibrations are dampened. So tabla drums require regular cleaning to ensure best performance.

Don't Use Water!

First rule of tablas is not to get water or moisture on them- a great tabla can be ruined by a cup of tea! This is another reason why we use talcum powder on our hands everytime we play. Not only does the powder decrease friction, but it help keep moisture and sweat from effecting the drums.

To Remove the grim from a tabla

1. a credit card or business card
2. a palm sized square of sand paper, very fine grade
3. a square of fine steel-wool

Start by using the steel-wool to gently sand the head of the tabla. Bits of dirt will start to come up. After the steel wool has gotten the thickest layer off, use the sand paper to finish. The best way to remove to turn the drum upside down and strike the drum, allowing the pieces to fall off, or to strike the drum and blow the dust away.

Be careful that the dirt isn't being forced into the space between the kinar & the shudh (outer ring and inner area). Gently insert the credit card into the space under the kinar to remove the powder and dirt that has gotten stuck inside during cleaning and in general.

Be careful that you don't sand away your tabla head! The tabla head skin is very thin so that it can produce the proper vibration. But this makes it sensitive to cleaning as well, so do this with great care.

Maintenance

One of the most common mistakes is using too much talcum powder when playing. The extra powder gets stuck on the tabla, as described above, and mutes the tone. Just a pinch of powder is enough powder to lightly cover the fingers and palms.

Keep you drums in an area protected from changes in temperature and humidity. Tablas are very sensitive to moisture, and changes in temperature can effect the tuning of the drum. They generally are played indoors for this reason.

For the best performance of your tabla you must treat it like a baby. Musical instruments demand our respect and reverence. Don't allow children or inexperienced people to bang on the drums. If you take good care of your instrument you will be able to enjoy it for much longer.