A tabla player in Dubai brings live rhythm to a smaller, closer setting: a mehndi, a qawwali or ghazal night, a Sufi evening, a dinner with a singer, or a cultural event. A percussionist does the same job with other drums, such as congas, bongos, the darbuka or a cajon, and is often booked to play live with a DJ or a band. Tell us the date, the venue and who the drummer will play with, and we send the players who are free, with videos and a price.
Price: the cost depends on the set length, whether the drummer plays alone or with a singer, DJ or band, travel and the date. See how much it costs to hire drummers.
The tabla
The tabla is a pair of hand drums from South Asia. The smaller wooden drum gives sharp, ringing notes, and the larger metal drum gives a deep bass that the player can bend with the heel of the hand. A good tabla player can sound like a whole band of drums with two hands. The tabla is the heart of classical Indian music, qawwali, ghazal and many Bollywood songs.
Where a tabla player fits
- Mehndi nights: the tabla, or a dholak, with folk songs and a singer, while the henna is applied.
- Qawwali and Sufi nights: the tabla keeps the rhythm under the harmonium and the voices.
- Ghazal and dinner sets: a singer with a tabla and a harmonium or keyboard, at a calm volume.
- Cultural events and festivals: a solo tabla set or a duet with a sitar or a flute.
For a louder, standing drum at the baraat or the sangeet, see dhol players.
Arabic tabla and frame drums
In Arabic music, the word tabla means a single goblet drum, also called the darbuka. It drives belly dance, dabke and Arabic pop. An Arabic percussionist with a darbuka, a riq or a frame drum can play with an oud player, a singer or a belly dancer, or join a zaffa. See Arabic drummers and zaffa.
A percussionist with your DJ or band
A percussionist playing live alongside the DJ is a common add on at weddings and parties in Dubai. At weddings the percussionist often walks in with the couple or lifts the first part of the party, then the DJ set takes over. With a band, a percussionist adds congas, bongos or a cajon for a fuller, Latin or Afro feel. Tell us your DJ's or band's details so they can agree the songs.
Sound and space
A tabla player sits on a low stage or a carpet with cushions. For a small room the tabla needs no sound system. In a larger room, or with a DJ or band, it needs a microphone through the venue's sound or the DJ's setup. A percussionist with a DJ needs a small space beside the booth.
Book a tabla player or percussionist
Send the date, the venue, the type of event and who the drummer will play with on WhatsApp or through the quote form. See wedding drummers for how the drums fit a full wedding.
