A tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in the classical, popular and religious music of the Indian subcontinent and in Hindustani classical music. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres. The term tabla is derived from an Arabic word tabl, which simply means drum.
The smaller drum, played with the dominant hand, is called the tabla. The larger drum, played with the other hand, is called bāyāñ, and has a much deeper bass tone. One of the primary tones on the drum is tuned to a specific note, and thus contributes to and complements the melody.
