A visit to the POD Summer camps

POD’s students have been having a great time so far at this year’s summer camps!  

In the most recent camp, students got to learn some unique and advanced compositions.  Some of the bols or phrases we focused on included “DhiraDhira,” which is a bol used often in relas and gats; “Dhatigena,” a common kaida phrase; and a kaida based on the phrase “DhatirakitaDhetete.”  Using these phrases as starting points we learned several compositions and even composed some new ones.  Students also practiced a composition style known as peshkar, which serves as the starting point for tabla solos.  Our practice sessions were heavily influenced by my experience studying with Ustad Zakir Hussain in California earlier this month, and whenever possible I employed the teaching methods I witnessed him using.

Students at the Poetry on Drums Tabla School learning a new kaida at summer camp. This week-long camp was held in Redmond, Washington and the students, some as young as seven, were learning tabla all day long! www.poetryondrums.com

When we weren’t playing tabla, we spent a lot of time listening to the great tabla masters of the 20th century.  Students listened to solos played by Ustad Ahmedjaan Thirakwa, Ustad Nizamuddin Khan, Pandit Anokhelal Mishra, Pandit Shamta Prasad, Ustad Latif Ahmed Khan, and many others.  I hope that the kids were inspired by listening to these maestros.  When possible we stopped to learn some of the compositions featured in their solos.

Students at POD's first 2015 summer camp are watching a tabla solo video and reacting to the action. Even though they're just having fun imitating the audience in the video, I think it's great how they are still aware of where beat one is and the fact that Ustad Tari Khan is about to complete a long tihai.

On Wednesday my friend Charu Anand came to teach the students about Kathak, and we learned how kathak compositions can be interpreted and played in numerous ways by different musicians.  Every student could use the bols they played best to play the composition along with Charu didi.  After this session we spent the rest of the afternoon learning some of the parans that kathak dancers use in their performances.  

And on Friday we even learned how to re-head a tabla…After one student had a “tuning hammer malfunction” the previous day.  In this picture a video of Ustad Nizamuddin Khan plays in the background while the students look on at the drum being repaired.

The summer camps have proved to be a wonderful experience for all of us, and I’m glad the kids are getting the opportunity to learn tabla the whole day.  I’m already looking forward to the next camp which will have even more guest artists presenting on dance, vocal music, and instrumental music.  I hope that each student is inspired by these camps to work twice as hard to learn this remarkable and instrument; I know I am!

A big thanks to all the parents who have given their support to make these camps successful!