Tabla Recording and Session Work
Studio work requires a different kind of focus. I bring the rhythmic precision of Punjab Gharana into your tracks, ensuring every beat sits right in the mix.
In a recording session for a new song by the talented Nikita Bharani. This clip shows the studio setup with multiple microphones to capture the full range of the tabla's sound.
A blessed 'haazri' (offering) for a beautiful project called Sabad Naad. Recording for Gurbani kirtan is a deeply spiritual experience.
A video from the Sabad Naad recording session. You can see the focus required when recording, listening through headphones to sync perfectly with other tracks.
Another shot from the Sabad Naad project. The studio environment, with its library of music, is always inspiring.
A clip from a studio session, celebrating World Music Day. The tabla can find a home in so many genres, from classical and folk to jazz and electronic music.
The groove gets better when the tabla talks! A happy moment in the studio, where the rhythm is locked in and the music is flowing.
About In the Studio: Recording & Collaborations
Studio sessions are about patience and precision. Unlike live concerts, recording demands that every beat is clean and timed perfectly, often requiring multiple takes to capture the right sound for your track. Whether you need a subtle backdrop for a vocal melody or a complex solo piece, I work to understand your vision before we start.
Working in a studio setting is distinct from performing on a stage. When I step into a studio in Mumbai or Delhi, my goal is to serve the song. This means adapting the heavy, powerful strikes of the Punjab Gharana style to suit the requirements of your composition.
For Gurbani Kirtan or spiritual projects, like my work with Sabad Naad, I focus on the ras (mood) of the Shabad, ensuring the tabla creates an environment of devotion. In modern collaborations, such as with vocalists like Nikita Bharani, I look at how the tabla can support the vocal line without overpowering it.
My Studio Process
- Mic Placement: I bring my own instrument and have experience working with various mic setups to capture the deep low end and the crisp high end of the tabla.
- Precision: We focus on keeping the rhythm tight, especially when playing over electronic beats or metronome tracks.
- Collaboration: I am happy to experiment. If you have a specific sound in mind, whether it needs to be dry and intimate or spacious and resonant, we can adjust the tuning and playing technique to match.
- Flexibility: I have experience recording for various genres including classical, folk, jazz, and fusion.
If you are planning a recording, it helps to share a rough draft or the tempo of the song beforehand so I can prepare the specific compositions that fit your arrangement. Let's create something together that respects the tradition while fitting the modern soundscape.
Surjeet Singh
I treat every recording session like a prayer. Whether you are producing a classical track or a modern fusion piece, I bring the discipline of my Gurus to ensure the tabla adds real depth to your music.
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