Hi, I'm Kuljit Bhamra and in this episode we'll  be talking about Tabla Touch - what is it and why  
Hi, I'm Kuljit Bhamra and in this episode we'll  be talking about Tabla Touch - what is it and why  

did we create it? But firstly i'd like to thank  you for watching our videos. We've had a massive  
did we create it? But firstly i'd like to thank  you for watching our videos. We've had a massive  

response and interest for Tabla Touch and lots of  very positive feedback from people who are very  
response and interest for Tabla Touch and lots of  very positive feedback from people who are very  

excited about this new invention. So, a bit of  history. I was in a show in the west end called  
excited about this new invention. So, a bit of  history. I was in a show in the west end called  

Bombay Dreams which was produced by Andrew Lloyd  Webber, music by A R Rahman and each song in that  
Bombay Dreams which was produced by Andrew Lloyd  Webber, music by A R Rahman and each song in that  

show was in a different key. So one song was in  C the next song was in F, the next song was in  
show was in a different key. So one song was in  C the next song was in F, the next song was in  

G - and i had lots of tablas pre-tuned in front of  me on the floor, but there was not enough time to  
G - and i had lots of tablas pre-tuned in front of  me on the floor, but there was not enough time to  

change over. And also, they had gone out of tune.  So i fantasized at that time - which i think was  
change over. And also, they had gone out of tune.  So i fantasized at that time - which i think was  

2002 - about having an electronic tabla that i  could just turn a dial and change the tuning. And  
2002 - about having an electronic tabla that i  could just turn a dial and change the tuning. And  

that's one of the main features of Tabla Touch.  Another feature of Tabla Touch is that it has  
that's one of the main features of Tabla Touch.  Another feature of Tabla Touch is that it has  

other sound banks in it. Now, if you think about  how how we play tabla, we play it in a very unique  
other sound banks in it. Now, if you think about  how how we play tabla, we play it in a very unique  

way. This gesturing doesn't work on any  other instrument. It only works on tabla.  
way. This gesturing doesn't work on any  other instrument. It only works on tabla.  

Whereas you know, if you play guitar, perhaps  you could play banjo - because it's a similar  
Whereas you know, if you play guitar, perhaps  you could play banjo - because it's a similar  

sort of action. If you play the clarinet, perhaps  you could play the saxophone - because it's very  
sort of action. If you play the clarinet, perhaps  you could play the saxophone - because it's very  

similar. If you play the violin, perhaps you could  move to the viola - because it's very similar. But  
similar. If you play the violin, perhaps you could  move to the viola - because it's very similar. But  

when you play tabla - and many people spend years  and years learning these strikes - once you've  
when you play tabla - and many people spend years  and years learning these strikes - once you've  

learned to play tabla, you can really only do it  on a Tabla. So one of my visions was to actually  
learned to play tabla, you can really only do it  on a Tabla. So one of my visions was to actually  

make it connectable to a computer or sound  module, so by playing these gestures,  
make it connectable to a computer or sound  module, so by playing these gestures,  

you could also trigger other sounds. Now there  is another video about this and about the MIDI  
you could also trigger other sounds. Now there  is another video about this and about the MIDI  

capabilities of Tabla Touch and i urge you to  watch that if you want to find out more about  
capabilities of Tabla Touch and i urge you to  watch that if you want to find out more about  

it. But i have to say that the midi side of things  was more to do with the notation of tabla music  
it. But i have to say that the midi side of things  was more to do with the notation of tabla music  

and how to write it down.. So i really wanted  composers to be able to write a score for tabla.  
and how to write it down.. So i really wanted  composers to be able to write a score for tabla.  

And they could either write it by hand,  or in a computer software program - or  
And they could either write it by hand,  or in a computer software program - or  

they could have a Tabla Touch and play  a simple rhythm. And by connecting it  
they could have a Tabla Touch and play  a simple rhythm. And by connecting it  

to a computer it would print out a score which  they could then give to a musician to play. So  
to a computer it would print out a score which  they could then give to a musician to play. So  

that was the main reason of it earlier on, but  now what's happening is the MIDI is being used  
that was the main reason of it earlier on, but  now what's happening is the MIDI is being used  

to explore further avenues of creativity and  different sound worlds with these gestures.  
to explore further avenues of creativity and  different sound worlds with these gestures.  

Another reason for creating Tabla  Touch was - you know tablas are bulky.  
Another reason for creating Tabla  Touch was - you know tablas are bulky.  

They're about 4Kg each - i've got many behind  me as you can see - and so a set of tablas would  
They're about 4Kg each - i've got many behind  me as you can see - and so a set of tablas would  

weigh about 8Kg. Once you've got a case it's 10Kg.  When i travel with my accessories, it's usually  
weigh about 8Kg. Once you've got a case it's 10Kg.  When i travel with my accessories, it's usually  

about 13 or 15 kilograms. This only weighs 3Kg!  So there's a portability aspect of this as well.  
about 13 or 15 kilograms. This only weighs 3Kg!  So there's a portability aspect of this as well.  

One of the main reasons for creating this  instrument is that i realized that - i don't  
One of the main reasons for creating this  instrument is that i realized that - i don't  

know how to say this - but i realized that people  are 'scared' of the tabla.Tabla Touch - actually  
know how to say this - but i realized that people  are 'scared' of the tabla.Tabla Touch - actually  

the way it's designed - i mean it's designed to  look like a tabla because i love the tabla and i  
the way it's designed - i mean it's designed to  look like a tabla because i love the tabla and i  

want more people to come into the world of tabla  - it's not it's not scary like an acoustic tabla.  
want more people to come into the world of tabla  - it's not it's not scary like an acoustic tabla.  

i know that's a funny thing to say, but this is  like a sort of interface - like i mean it's not  
i know that's a funny thing to say, but this is  like a sort of interface - like i mean it's not  

an ipad or anything like that - but it's a simple  interface. What i've noticed when i've taken it  
an ipad or anything like that - but it's a simple  interface. What i've noticed when i've taken it  

to conventions and conferences is people come up  to this and just play it straight away. They're  
to conventions and conferences is people come up  to this and just play it straight away. They're  

not scared of it - whereas an acoustic tabla -  many people are scared of breaking it, or perhaps  
not scared of it - whereas an acoustic tabla -  many people are scared of breaking it, or perhaps  

conducting a religious faux pas or something - or  doing something wrong spiritually. But with this,  
conducting a religious faux pas or something - or  doing something wrong spiritually. But with this,  

it's much more accessible. So there you are -  those are the reasons for creating Tabla Touch.  
it's much more accessible. So there you are -  those are the reasons for creating Tabla Touch.  

And it's really wonderful to see musicians who  have already bought Tabla Touch, who are exploring  
And it's really wonderful to see musicians who  have already bought Tabla Touch, who are exploring  

further creative possibilities with these  gestures - connecting it to computers using midi,  
further creative possibilities with these  gestures - connecting it to computers using midi,  

using the sound banks in tabla touch - and  using it in a way to make brand new music.  
using the sound banks in tabla touch - and  using it in a way to make brand new music.  

Thank you very much for watching and see you soon.
Thank you very much for watching and see you soon.