Krsna Kirtana Songs
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Chapter 36: Conclusion
This is the final chapter in this guide. Talas will not be studied, nor will any rhythmic forms,
cadences, speeds, tuning, or repair tips will be given here. The final chapter
of the guide will not serve as a review of all the material discussed and
covered. Nevertheless, we shall revisit, not review, our journey.
You, the student, have studied so many alphabets of
the tabla known as bols. Of
course, re-producing the bols correctly was a task on
its own. After completing that, you made phrases into small words. You
eventually flourished into talas. Knowing how to work
with the speed, the little tricks and treats for a sweet performance were
included. Information on how to be a good accompanying artist as well as a good
solo artist was taught to you. Anytime your friend has a broken tabla set, you can now fix it for them. Just walking down
memory, you, the student, sure have learned a lot.
By learning these pieces jigsawed
so nicely into a puzzle, you are learning how to progress nicely in this
instrument. You probably also learned some more tidbits here and there. If you,
the student, were attempting to learn tabla
throughout this guide, then you probably knew how a teacher can be quite
beneficial. My hope is that you, the student, also picked up the jewels of
discipline in learning, humility to the art and its
artists, and patience along with hope and devotion. These elements are what
makes one a good student.
Here is a story I mentioned in Chapter 22. Once upon
a time, legendary musician, Miyan Tansen,
was asked on how much music did he know and master. He took his pinky finger,
dipped it in water and took it out. He replied, “The water dropping from this
glass of music is all I know.” All I could present is but a drop of water of
the vast study of the tabla and tala
science. What was presented in this guide was less than a drop of water of the
field of tabla. Hopefully, that drop had some taste
to pursue learning this wonderful art.
This was the first guide I have ever written for a
musical instrument like the tabla. I did not know if
this project would remain on a stand-still forever, or will it continue like my
other web projects. With the support and acceptance of the web community, this
project by Lord Krsna’s mercy has been completed. I
humbly thank all of my supporters, friends, and those who were like family to
me.
In the first chapter, I greeted you as “dear
student.” In addition, I also promised to introduce three characters: me, you,
and the tabla. I tried to present the tabla in the most convenient way without compromising the
dedication, devotion, discipline, patience, time, humility, and practice needed
to learn the tabla. If I have committed any errors or
offensives, please accept my apologies. My part of the journey from here is
completed. Your journey with you and the tabla is
just beginning. May Lord Krsna bless you, the
student!
Good luck with your journey! Hare Krsna!
Krsna Dhenu (KKSongs.org)
- Guide completed April 6, 2005
UPDATED:
June 20, 2009