TABLA, DHOL AND DHOLAK BY ABHILASH MEHTA
"Where words fail, music speaks."
DHOL (IN-PERSON)
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IN-PERSON CLASSES FOR KIDS, TEENS & ADULTS
DAY/TIME:
(TBD by studio)
FEES: $45 for 30 mins — 5 week session
FREE TRIAL: 1 free trial class available for new students
PROGRAM / COURSE DESCRIPTION
This 5-week beginner Dhol program teaches the fundamentals of Punjabi Dhol in a structured, beginner-friendly way. Students will learn proper technique, timing, and core rhythms used in traditional Bhangra and Dhol playing. The goal is to help students build a strong foundation and begin playing real rhythms they can continue developing over time.
For Beginners:
How to hold the Dhol comfortably and correctly
Proper stick technique and sound control
Timing fundamentals and rhythm development
Core beginner beats used in Bhangra-style playing
How to practice effectively and continue improving independently
Week-by-Week Curriculum (5 Weeks):
Week 1: Introduction + fundamentals
Week 2: Beginner rhythm development
Week 3: Bhangra-style beats
Week 4: Higher-energy patterns
Week 5: Jam session + putting it together
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
I have over 20 years of drumming experience and have spent years developing my skills on the Dhol through regular practice and playing at cultural events, parties, and community gatherings. I was drawn to the Dhol because of its power, energy, and the way it can instantly create excitement and drive rhythm in any setting.
My teaching style is structured and beginner-friendly, with a strong focus on fundamentals—proper stick technique, timing, and the core beats used in traditional Bhangra and Dhol playing. My goal is for students to walk away with real skills they can use in social settings, and also gain the foundation needed to continue learning and improving on their own.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
TABLA - Tabla is regarded as the queen of drums and is the most popular Indian rhythm instrument.
DHOLAK - Dholak is mainly a folk instrument, lacking the exact tuning and playing techniques of the tabla or the pakhawaj
DHOL - Dhol is a double-sided barrel drum played mostly as an accompanying instrument in regional music forms.
TABLA : Class Duration - 45 mins class every week
Fees: $299 for 12 week session - 4 - 6 students per class - Age 5+
Private Class - $40 per class
Location: 217 Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, MA 01803
TIME: TABLA: Sat 10-11 am | Sat 11-12 am | 12-1 pm | DHOL - Sat 1-2pm
To manually register and pay by check/cash - please click on "MANUAL REGISTRATION FORM".
PROGRAM CURRICULUM: well structured curriculum to prepare the student for upto Visharad (Degree) in Tabla.
LEVEL TWO
Introduction to Laya, Laya & its importance, Laya practise.
Vilambit, maday, drut timing and ekgun, dugan, and chagun practice.
Two different kayadas with minimum four paltas in teen tal.
Using simple words dha, Tita, ta, tin, ge, na, ke, dhin etc.
Practice of kehrva Tal with different type of Kehrva, with vocal music and instrumental.
Practice Tal dadra with different type of vocal and instrumental music.
Introduction of ek Tal with practice of different Laya and Layakaris with vocal music.
LEVEL ONE
All about tabla In detail, its history and as an instrument.
The parts of a tabla, How it’s constructed etc.
Knowledge of Tal, Matra, vhibag, Sum, tali, khali and avartan laye.
Basic hand position and its finger techniques.
Knowledge of words played on right tabla and left tabla. Production of such on the tabla as dha, na, ta, dhin, tin, to, ghe, tirkit, kat,ke.
Tal introduction of the tal dadra, keherva, teen tal, jhap tal with its theory knowledge.
Some kaydas (Using word Tita ,Tirakita and its combination) and its Paltas and Tihaee.
LEVEL THREE
Different kaydas with minimum five paltas with words.
Dhita, Gudigans, takkda, tirkit etc and solo practice of all kaydas and paltas together with all three levels.
Jhaptal, three simple tukrae, three tihais, two kaydas with four paltae, variation of tihais and two mukhrae.
Improve on the ability to recognise sum and mukrae with vocal and instrumental music.
Notation of tukrae and tihai.
LEVEL FOUR
Learn Roopak tal, ektal and deepchandi sultaal.
Practise reciting the above tals in ekgun, dugan and chaugan layakaris with and without the tabla.
Four advanced difficulty kayadas, mukhrae, tukrae, tihais and paltas in teen tal, chau tal, teevr tal and jhap tal.
Solo practise with lehra.
Improve on the ability to produce different bols on tabla recited by another person.
Recognise different tals with vocal music and instrumental music.
LEVEL SIX
Solo with good proficiency in teen tal, jhap tal, eak tal and rupak tal.
Accompanying with the tabla beside different vocal, instrumental and light music.
Learning words like dhir dhir, gidha nage with different laya and layakaris.
Composing with the bols above.
More layas.
LEVEL FIVE
Playing solo in tal with lehra, thal teental, pashkara, kayada, rela, gat, tukdas and jhap tal etc.
Learning how to tune the tabla.
Composing with different tals.
Accompanying with the tabla beside different type of singing. For example playing alongside Dhrupad, Dhamar, Tappa and thumree styles of singing.
Accompanying with tabla beside different instrumental music. For example playing alongside masid khani gat, rajkhani gat and different dhuns of instrumental music.
NOTE: Levels do not correspond to Sessions- each level may require multiple sessions.
For questions - please contact info@academyofcreativearts.com or call 612.888.ARTS (2787).
Payment and Missed Class Policy:
Training requires consistency in order to achieve the most benefit. However, we understand that students may occasionally need to miss a class. Use the following guidelines to ensure that you get the most out of your classes at The Academy of Creative Arts.
Your fees are due on or before the first class in a month
Payment may be made by cash, check or credit card
If you pay for several months in advance and cannot complete all months, we will refund months not used when notice is received before the beginning of the month
If you or your child plan to miss a class - 48 hour advance notice is required - so another student can be accommodated - if the student does not provide 48 hour notice, student can coordinate the make-up class with the instructor.
Your monthly fee pays for your space in class for the month. It is your responsibility to make up classes if you or your child miss the class.
One makeup class will be offered each month. During any month that you are enrolled, you may make up a class by attending any other appropriate session (please coordinate with the instructor for scheduling the make up class). Make up classes should be completed within 60 days of missing the class. Fees for missed classes are not refundable.
If you are having trouble scheduling a make up class, please let us know and we will try to accommodate you
Class timings and schedule are subject to change
We wish you a wonderful learning experience - these policies are required so that we can be respectful of the instructors time and commitment.