Tabla/mridang head question

[Chris Griffin]

Hi Fellow drummers

Is there any reason why I should not put a tabla head on my Mridang?
I have a mridang with a 6-inch diameter treble end, which should work
for a 6-inch tabla head. I'm thinking of putting a Vishnu head on,
as friends have told me that they are better than others. I currently
have a "Mridang head" on the drum, and I'm having a hard time getting
the full range of tabla bols on this head.

While I'm at it, another question: Is there any advantage to using
the black tarry goop for the inside of the bass head on the mridang,
or is it better to use some other substance?

I appreciate any advice!

Namaskar,
Chris

[Nick Haynes]

Chris Griffin wrote:

mridang? I assume you don't mean the Southern Mridangam. If you do
then only a mridangam head will sound right

[Chris Griffin]

>
> mridang? I assume you don't mean the Southern Mridangam. If you do
> then only a mridangam head will sound right

No, you are correct. It is not a Southern Mridangam, it is a Mridang
with hooks, as shown on the following page:

http://www.aacm.org/shop/product43.html

I basically would like a tabla-like sound on the treble head, although
not tuned as high as a tabla normally is. I will keep it tuned around
G-A

Chris

[Nick Haynes]

Chris Griffin wrote:

I never saw anything like that before!

[Chris Griffin]

>
> I never saw anything like that before!

This type of drum is used extensively in Ashrams and meditation
centers because it is good for accompanying chanting. The metal hooks
make it easy to tune and it stays in tune well. It is quite loud for
playing with large groups of people.

The technique I use for the treble head is basically tabla technique
and not much like traditional mridangam or pakhawaj technique. The
bass head is not much like a bayan, of course. There is a gob on the
inside which might be tar, silicon, or poster putty.

OK, I'm guessing that noone has much to say about my initial
questions.

Chris

[Nick Haynes]

Chris Griffin wrote:

It looks as if you're going to have to try it and let us know the results.

[Jeff]

Greetings
I have found that using silicone caulk works well for "loading" the heads. I
buy it at my local hardware store. I put a mound about 5" in diameter and
about 1/8" high at the highest(center). This seems to work, and it is easier
to work with than the "tar". I've done this on about 10 to 20 mridang in the
past few years.
Hope this helps, please contact me with other questions.
Jeff
Mid-east.com

Nick Haynes wrote:

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[Chris Griffin]

> It looks as if you're going to have to try it and let us know the results.

Will do... although I might leave the old head on for a while just so
I can get a bit more life out of it.

Chris

[David Courtney]

I can tell you that you can definitely use a tabla head.

If you would like more information on alternative substances to put on the left hand then check out my book "Manufacture and Repair of Tabla"  One of the appenicess contains a discussion on this.

Information is at:

http://chandrakantha.com/products_and_services/marot.html

Good Luck

David Courtney

[Orlando Fiol]

chrisg...@yahoo.com writes:
> This type of drum is used extensively in Ashrams and meditation
> centers because it is good for accompanying chanting. The metal hooks
> make it easy to tune and it stays in tune well. It is quite loud for
> playing with large groups of people.

Is it traditionally used in India?

> The technique I use for the treble head is basically tabla technique
> and not much like traditional mridangam or pakhawaj technique. The
> bass head is not much like a bayan, of course. There is a gob on the
> inside which might be tar, silicon, or poster putty.

That sounds like the gaab used for dholak, dholki or naal.

Orlando

[Orlando Fiol]

chrisg...@yahoo.com writes:
> Is there any reason why I should not put a tabla head on my Mridang?
> I have a mridang with a 6-inch diameter treble end, which should work
> for a 6-inch tabla head. I'm thinking of putting a Vishnu head on,
> as friends have told me that they are better than others. I currently
> have a "Mridang head" on the drum, and I'm having a hard time getting
> the full range of tabla bols on this head.

Much of the playing technique on mridangam is quite different from that of
tabla, so why are you trying to get the full range of tabla bols on a
mridangam? Are you trying to play tabla on mridangam? If so, why? In
answer to your initial question, I see no problem with putting a tabla head
on a mridangam, as long as you are aware of the differences. For one, the
chaat on a mridangam head will probably extend right up to the shyaahi and
leave you very little sur to play on, as compared with a tabla head. The
head will also probably be much thicker than a tabla head.

> > While I'm at it, another question: Is there any advantage to using
> the black tarry goop for the inside of the bass head on the mridang,
> or is it better to use some other substance?

Are you asking if you should use shyaahi on the left hand head of the
mridangam? If so, the tradition is to use a paste of flour and water. My
sense is that the shyaahi would be too porous and have too many tiny cracks
to provide the customary bass sound. But you could try it.

Regards,
Orlando

[Nick Haynes]

Orlando Fiol wrote:

He is not talking of South India's mridangam. Maybe I'm wrong, but I
suspect you are?