Buying Musical Instruments in India

Find him a bansuri/venu guru when you arrrive .... it will eliminate the freight fright on the return leg.

It is certainly possible to import bugs with drums! This may be part of the custom's worries. The 'right-hand' drum (sorry, I forget the tabla terminology) is very thick wood with just a small void in the middle; if they are feeling suspicious they may drill it to take a look inside.

The 'left-hand' drum is fairly thin metal: this needs to be protected against dents. The body of the right-hand drum could probably be used to smash a plate-glass window; its tough.

The heads (their structure is a bit too complex just to say 'skins') are, of course, much more delicate, and I'd advise a soft layer, with something harder on top and then padding all around. The black circle, which is vital to the sound of the instrument, is of a brittle material.

I wouldn't have much hopes, though, for what could be achieved in a 'couple of lessons'. The technique is so different, and so precise, that it would take more just to begin getting the right sound.

But somewhere like the place that anarkali mentions, where they are used to tourists passing through, and know how to impart a little information to people who have not come to embark upon a life-time's study sounds great.

By the way...

Take a look at David Courtney's excellent Tabla Site for more information on the instrument

Nick-H - He realises that, its more just to get a feel for it - and what a great way to do that if he can have a lesson or 2 in India itself...(I am also trying to find some things just for him to do by himself.) he's been learning bongos and African drumming recently as well as his drum it, and plays Tympani in the school orchestra. If he wants to go on with tabla he can always get lessons here... he just loves percussion of all kinds - he's actually pretty good too! It would be great to see some classical music played live somewhere while we're there.

Then he probably just loves percussion instruments of all kinds too. I have a collection of things I can't play !

He would if he had the money - he bangs on everything - drives his teachers and us mad, plays the car dashboard, plays the sofa cushions....

There are many tabla teachers in Mumbai and tabla shops.

How many days do you intend staying in Mumbai?
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We are in Mumbai for 6 days...

From .... to??

I will ask some people I know for tabla lessons.
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1st to 6th Feb - that would be amazing...

Barring unforeseen circumstances, force majeure etc. consider it done. Just give me a reminder around 10th Jan.
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pdf to get you started

Oscar had a sitar lesson and a sitar/tabla lesson from a guy called Suresh in Udaipur - great teacher.. if anyone knows a sitar teacher in Jodhpur let me know!

Great!

Maybe the tabla guy could put him in touch with a sitar guy?

Hi all!

I have the same question as this, except it'd be for Delhi, where I will be flying in and out of.

I bought a very nice quality sitar when I was there in 2000, and quickly learnt that there's a LOT of junk to sort through to find a quality instrument.

Can anyone please recommend me a place or places in Delhi to search out high quality instruments please?
I'd prefer to pay more for superb quality than to scrimp.

Cheers,
Scott.

Go to Lajpat Nagar and locate a shop called Bhart Music House. He is one of the oldest in Delhi, a but pricey but carries a good range.

Then move down the road ( if you are looking at Bharat , take a right) , you will come across some smaller shops as well which you can check...

Then you get to a shop called on stage which essentially specializes in western music instruments but always good for a look.. the last shop on the road will be called Bina which again carries a decent amount of stuff.

Bharat also has branch on Panchkuia Road , near NDRS.