Help a New Orleans drummer who just discovered the dhol

[Nola Beats]

Hello everyone. I just joined, though I don't even own a dhol yet. I've had friends from India, so I've heard some music from the area when I was younger. I always liked the rhythms, but back then I played a full kit, so forgot all about it until recently.

It's a funny story. While at a Cajun music festival (around 2am), I saw a guy playing the Scottish Highland bagpipes with a drummer playing a double sided drum (very poorly). I borrowed the drum. I had to reverse it (dagga in my right hand), to make a funky beat. He started playing the pipes, and I broke out a couple of beats from down here in Nola. We had about 80 people dancing around the fire in no time.

Now I want one. I plan on using it to play in several Mardi Gras parades this year. But there is no store in town where i can buy one. I don't trust eBay to sell me a legit drum. I want a good drum, but I'll also be walking 5+ miles with it at times, so I don't want a super heavy drum.

I also am curious about goat skin vs synthetic bass heads. I play several percussion instruments, and sometimes it makes no difference, sometimes the is a huge difference in sound. But we have very high humidity in New Orleans, so I'd like to avoid tuning during a parade. I have some drums that won't stay tuned in humid climates.

Also, if there is anything else a white boy from the South should know, be it history, people to listen to, advantages of using my dagga in either hand, or good places to buy a dhol, please let me know. I'd like to learn the right way, but will also be creating my own style in how I play. As any musician should, in my opinion.

 

[RAJ22]

http://www.jas-musicals.com/sectrad/Bhangra-Dhol-cases-accessories.asp

 

[Gabbah Shareef Bhalwan]

Hi


I love the New Orleans music scene. Brass bands are badass.


You might try to hear examples of brass bands (like for weddings, on the street) in Punjab, India. What they do is often take the rhythms from dhol and "covert" it to the more typical band instruments.


But overall it sounds like you are more interested in the instrument than he culture and the repertoire that comes with it. If that's the case, you might also want to investigate some of the other drums in the world that have a similar construction. For example, there is the tabl baladi in Egypt and the tapan of the Balkans and also a Turkish drum. These might actual give a better "feel" of what you're looking for than what is played on dhol.


ex: Tupanat ne prizren PJESA 3

 

[ramv88]

Nola Beats, that is awesome that you are interested in dhol! I think the fact that you have contacts from India gives you a good place to start looking for one. I know that BTF has had many discussions in the past regarding where to get a good dhol.

The answer is clear, If you are going to get a legit dhol you need to get them from Punjab, not online.

I started out with a really bad dhol, (the rope was a shoulder strap and the dagga side was completely flat) with a trash bag as a case. But I constantly looked at youtube videos and found people who not only played dhol well but also had the dedication to the instrument.

Through these contacts, I was able to get some advice about practicing the right way and I also personally tried out different dhols myself. It made it easier for me to pick out the one which I wanted and got them at the BEST price. My technique improved and I now own two amazing dhols.

You also need to know how to maintain them----(getting a good case helps a lot---- get a hardcase). Then after practicing the the basic beats properly from a good teacher (by that I mean technique wise---slow and clean).....you will get the best sound out of the dhol. It does take some time but trust me when you do your research and find one it's worth it.

Best of luck with your search. I look forward to seeing you tearing it up on the dhol at Mardi Gras events!


- Dholi Ram

 

[orbis]

Hey Nola... This is the piper! Read your post and saw your comment about my buddy's poor playing.. In his defense, it was my dhol he was playing.. That was first time he'd ever touched it (he's a piper not a drummer) That said, if you're interested in how the weather down here affects the drum, I can probably give you some first hand feedback.. Just let me know if there's anything I might be able to answer for you.

P.S.- Glad to see that you're also hooked on dhol too!;-)

 

[JupMasterG]

Hey whats up Nola beats, my name is Jupji Singh. I'm from Houston, TX and play dhol. Im actually in Nola quite often every couple months or so, my partner and I of Dhol Beat International do quite a few gigs out there...mostly South Asian wedding related events.

Matter of fact, ill actually be there this weekend. If you're interested in buying a dhol, shoot me an email with your contact information and maybe sometime when im out there I can bring one that I or a friend might have for sale and if you're interested we can work something out.

DholiJupMasterG@hotmail.com

 

[Nola Beats]

Hey guys thanks for the heads up. After seeing the tupan video, I bought one. With playing the treble part with the left hand, it suits the way my brain is wired from playing a kit and other percussion for years. I'd like to also get a dhol, but this year is an early Mardi Gras, and I won't have a few hundred to spend by early February. I found a tupan for under a couple hundred, and had to jump on it.

Piper, its a small world. I didn't mean to rag your buddy. When I tried to play it the traditional way you showed me, it sounded like a drum circle after a phish show. It wasn't until I turned it around was I able to play a couple of beats, so I understand.

Jupmasterg, I hate that I missed you. If you are near the area again anytime soon, I'd love to find. Good used drum. Once again, I hate that mardi gras is so early, otherwise I might have more time.

I'll be jamming with a group of Mardi Gras Indians in a parade in the French Quarter on Jan 19th, and I'm looking forward to playing it there. If you make it to Nola before Feb 12th, I'd love to rock a dhol too. But luckily, there's always another parade. Either way, if your around Nola Again, hit me up at kennyd504@gmail.com . We can jam or grab a beer. I'd love to see or play a dhol again when I'm not drunk at a festival after 3am.

 

[DholiKhan]

Whats up man, im from nola, i also play dhol, if you need help i could help you out.