DhaDha Dhin Dhin Dha / NaNa Tin Tin NaNa...Sounds like harmony to me

It all started last year, from what I remember. My mother was going to India and it was my one and only chance to get the one instrument I wanted to play all my life: the Tabla. I fell in love with this two-piece drum (primarily played in the Northern parts of India) when I grew up to the songs of Bhajans, or religious songs.

I came home one winter evening 1 week after my mom came back from India, to find the instrument lying in my room waiting to be played. However, I was told by my father not to get distracted, so I put off the tabla until 5 weeks ago. I could not believe how difficult the instrument is to play, but it comes with any challenge. Struggle at first, and then success with more work. I mean the first two notes (Na and Tin) took 3 weeks to master, but it definitely was worth the effort, as I can now play more difficult notes and endure more minutes of playing time without tiring.

And even though my forearms are sore from the intense practice I go through to be a top notch tabla player, I know that playing this instrument allows me to experience both relief from my stresses and a sense harmony. I can imagine myself years from now just letting the sounds of Na and Tin and Dha and Dhin resonate over my whole home as I play for hours. Heck maybe I will be good as Zakir Hussain. Just Kidding, he is ridiculous. Aight gang, gotta go practice!