The instruction is presented in the four sections listed in the side-bar on the right.
Beginning with the basic strokes, each section builds on the last toward mastering the full compositions played in Shanti Mandir chants.
Video demonstrations by the Shanti Mandir students provide a guide to technique.
The aim is to listen and play along to the videos. You can replay them as many times as you like to help you learn.
Printable sheets are provided to add a visual element that you can download, print and put together into a folder for your reference.
Instructions for both tabla and pakhawaj are included on each page.
How to use each section
Section 1 - Bol
A guide to the stroke sounds.
Use Part 1 as a reference to the technique and name for the individual sound strokes, bol. This is not an exhaustive list, it details some of the technique more important to Shanti Mandir chants. And of course the bol are not played as individual sounds, so section 1 part 2 and 3 that outlines groups of sounds, is more useful for practicing playing.
Part 2 puts together some of the stroke sounds in a more practical way with video to play along and practice the bol. Be sure to clap, wave and speak along with the video. Refer back to Section 1 for specifics of how to play each stroke if you need to.
Part 3 introduces more complex combinations of strokes adding a further level of complexity, again with video to play along and practice the bol. Be sure to clap, wave and speak along with the video. Refer back to Section 1 for specifics of how to play each stroke if you need to.
Section 2 - Taal
Introduces commonly used rhythmic patterns.
Section 2 introduces the tala, where different bol patterns which drummers call theka, are put together with the varying rhythms that are the fundamentals of all Indian Classical music.
Section 3 - Compositions
Gives instruction for favourite Shanti Mandir chants.
Section 4 is a guide to playing the chants at Shanti Mandir satsang, most of the chants will use more than one of the tala from section 3 to produce the full music composition.
