--- title: "Tabla Riyaaz & Live Performances | Punjab Gharana Style" description: "Experience authentic Punjab Gharana tabla. From disciplined riyaaz to live classical concerts and professional accompaniment, book Surjeet Singh for your event." canonical: https://mytribe.in/surjeetsinghofficial_/live-tabla-performances/behind-the-music-riyaaz-soundchecks last_updated: 2025-09-22 --- # The Discipline of Tabla: Riyaaz and Soundcheck Tribe Verified · Performing across India's top concert venues. By [Surjeet Singh](https://mytribe.in/surjeetsinghofficial_) · Travels across India for live performances · ₹15K Per Performance (Max 3 Hours) (estimate) Part of [Live Tabla Performances](https://mytribe.in/surjeetsinghofficial_/live-tabla-performances). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/surjeetsinghofficial_/live-tabla-performances/gallery) Before the lights come up and the audience settles in, there is the discipline of daily riyaaz and the precision of a soundcheck. This is where my tabla finds its voice. ## Photos and videos - ![Soundcheck at NMACC. Getting the levels right for my set of tablas to ensure every bol is heard clearly.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5d066806-254c-4664-bc6c-f946692872c1) - ![The stage is set for the show at NMACC. You can see my tablas in the foreground, with the drum kit and other instruments ready for the performance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c2dfaae0-6001-499e-80f1-0d0f92b1f045) - ![A moment of calm during the soundcheck. It's important to feel comfortable and connected with the stage and sound before the audience arrives.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/475fc062-d3ef-4ef5-8010-109e0bdfbc73) - ![Making final adjustments to the tuning of my tablas during soundcheck. Each drum needs to be perfectly tuned to the key of the performance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cd1a75bb-025d-4151-aa5a-e263681f86c9) - ![Another view of the soundcheck process, with the sound engineers in the background. It takes a team to put on a great show.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/60e5593a-9dc4-432c-a414-218129fb494d) - ![The process of tuning the tabla with a hammer is a crucial part of preparation. This ensures the pitch is perfect.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6e8008f5-8a12-406a-964b-1d5e3af58d39) - ![The groove gets better when the tabla talks. A shot from a studio session, with a simple lighting setup creating a nice mood.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8f00b793-e80a-46ed-8238-d1db6ae6673b) - ![Riyaaz session in Mumbai. The city's energy always inspires me, even during quiet moments of practice at home.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a6bdba89-70f6-4d3d-993c-c3eed705eef5) - ![Another angle from my practice corner in Mumbai. The plants and the evening light create a peaceful atmosphere for music.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7e9ab1b8-bad8-4917-86fa-75a8782f918d) - ![Lost in the rhythm during a home practice session. This is where the foundation of every performance is built.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a3103c7c-3eff-4854-a44e-84469212270c) - ![A close-up of my instruments after a long riyaaz session. They are my companions on this musical journey.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/42f9fba9-3916-46b3-b01c-4c8752278ee6) - [Video: Sound check scenes at the Jahan-e-Khusrau festival in Delhi. The smile comes from the joy of knowing a great performance is about to happen.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2672a979-0298-43d4-a71e-4dd50dfcdfd8) - [Video: A tabla solo performance during a workshop or intimate gathering at Jawaddi Taksal in Ludhiana, Punjab.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/badfc4ac-ff2e-4cd6-8429-c0224eb25c71) ## About Behind the Music: Riyaaz & Soundchecks Tuning is not just a technical necessity, it is a meditative ritual. I spend at least 45 minutes before every show with my hammer and ears, aligning the tabla to the specific acoustics of the venue. Whether it is an open-air festival in Delhi or an intimate baithak in Mumbai, these moments ensure that when I finally sit down, the instrument is ready to speak its truth. For a percussionist, the stage is only half the work. The rest happens in the quiet hours of practice, or 'riyaaz'. My foundation in the Punjab Gharana demands total clarity in every bol, whether it is a complex Kayada or a simple Theka. When you see me in these images, you are seeing the effort that precedes the performance. ### The Anatomy of a Soundcheck Every venue presents a different challenge. In a large concert hall like NMACC, the sound needs to be crisp and cutting, while in a devotional gathering or Gurbani Kirtan, the resonance must be warm and supportive. During a soundcheck, I work closely with sound engineers to ensure my tabla set—tuned to the lead artist's specific scale—sits perfectly in the mix. I look for the right microphone placement (often SM57 or SM58) to capture the depth of the Bayan and the sharpness of the Dayan. It is about creating a dialogue between the player, the instrument, and the space. ### Why Riyaaz Matters 'In a world of filters, stay original.' This mantra is what I bring to my practice sessions. When I am at home in Mumbai, my riyaaz is constant. It is the time where I deconstruct compositions, experiment with Pakhawaj Ang, and refine the mathematical precision of my Tihais. This daily commitment is why I can adapt quickly during a live jugalbandi or a spontaneous fusion jam. Whether you are looking for a solo recitalist for your event or a professional accompanist for your next studio project, you are hiring someone who treats every beat as a tribute to the tradition passed down by my Ustadji, Ustad Joginder Singh Ji. ## About Surjeet Singh I am Surjeet Singh, and for me, tabla is not just a profession; it is a spiritual journey rooted in the Punjab Gharana. Every stroke is an 'ek koshish', a humble attempt to honor the traditional bols and compositions passed down by my Ustadji, Ustad Joginder Singh Ji. I play to keep the soul of this art form alive and authentic. [See all of Surjeet Singh's services](https://mytribe.in/surjeetsinghofficial_) ## More from Live Tabla Performances by Surjeet Singh - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/surjeetsinghofficial_/live-tabla-performances/featured) - [Tabla Solo: Baithak & Concerts](https://mytribe.in/surjeetsinghofficial_/live-tabla-performances/tabla-solo-baithak-concerts) - [The Art of Accompaniment: Jugalbandi & Sangat](https://mytribe.in/surjeetsinghofficial_/live-tabla-performances/the-art-of-accompaniment-jugalbandi-sangat) - [Devotional Performances: Gurbani Kirtan & Bhajans](https://mytribe.in/surjeetsinghofficial_/live-tabla-performances/devotional-performances-gurbani-kirtan-bhajans) - [Live Shows & Modern Collaborations](https://mytribe.in/surjeetsinghofficial_/live-tabla-performances/live-shows-modern-collaborations) - [My Roots: Guru-Shishya Parampara](https://mytribe.in/surjeetsinghofficial_/live-tabla-performances/my-roots-guru-shishya-parampara) - [Awards & Recognition](https://mytribe.in/surjeetsinghofficial_/live-tabla-performances/awards-recognition) - [My Albums & Published Works](https://mytribe.in/surjeetsinghofficial_/live-tabla-performances/my-albums-published-works) - [Portraits & Candids](https://mytribe.in/surjeetsinghofficial_/live-tabla-performances/portraits-candids) ## More services by Surjeet Singh - [Tabla Lessons](https://mytribe.in/surjeetsinghofficial_/tabla-lessons) - [Studio Recording & Session Work](https://mytribe.in/surjeetsinghofficial_/studio-recording-session-work) ## Similar work from other experts - [Riyaz: The Foundation of Punjab Gharana Tabla](https://mytribe.in/onkar_todkar_/indian-classical-tabla-performance/riyaz-the-daily-practice) by Onkar Todkar · Indian Classical Tabla Performance · Available for performances at venues across Pune and Mumbai Metropolitan Area - [A Glimpse Into the Life of a Tabla Artist](https://mytribe.in/yashwant_vaishnavofficial/tabla-performance-services/behind-the-music) by Yashwant Vaishnav · Tabla Performance Services · Available for performances across India - [The Art of Tabla: Solos and Traditional Practice](https://mytribe.in/harmeettabla/live-tabla-percussion-artist/the-art-of-tabla-solos-practice) by Harmeet Singh · Live Tabla & Percussion Artist · Performs live across Mumbai and travels pan-India - [The Art of Riyaaz: A Musical Journey](https://mytribe.in/divyanshu.tabla/live-tabla-pakhavaj-performance/the-journey-the-practice-riyaaz) by Divyanshu Kumar · Live Tabla & Pakhavaj Performance · Performs at venues across Delhi NCR and travels pan-India - [Inside the Riyaz: My Daily Tabla Sadhana](https://mytribe.in/debjitpatitundi/live-tabla-performance/rehearsals-riyaz-the-daily-sadhana) by Debjit Patitundi · Live Tabla Performance · Available for performances across India - [Behind the Scenes of My Tabla Performances](https://mytribe.in/tejovrush/live-tabla-performance/behind-the-music) by Tejovrush Joshi · Live Tabla Performance · Available for performances across India and online ## Book To book Surjeet Singh, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Namaste%2C%20I%20saw%20your%20profile%20and%20the%20behind-the-scenes%20riyaaz%20photos.%20I%20would%20like%20to%20discuss%20booking%20a%20tabla%20performance.)