Bol

What does bol mean?

A bol is a spoken syllable that stands for a stroke on the tabla, a pair of drums, or another drum. Bols include Dha, Dhin, Na, Tin, Ta, Ge and Ke.

For example, Dha stands for a stroke that combines both drums of the tabla. The spoken syllable names what the drummer will play.

Drummers speak the bols before they play them. The whole vocabulary of tabla playing is passed on this way, through syllables that stand for drum strokes.

In some contexts, bol also means the words of a song. This is a short definition; the linked BeatRootRaga learning page gives the full explanation of bol.

An example of bol and where to read more

Dha and Na are bols, spoken syllables that stand for drum strokes. Dha combines both drums of the tabla. Na uses only the right-hand drum. The two syllables give you an example of how a spoken sound can name a drum stroke.

Drummers speak the bols before they play them. This is how the whole vocabulary of tabla playing is passed on, with spoken syllables standing for the strokes.

Use this example as a starting point, then follow the linked BeatRootRaga learning page for the full explanation.