TablaLab

What is TablaLab? TablaLab is an iPhone/iPad app for exploring and learning to play the tabla — the paired hand drums of North Indian classical music. It combines a bol (stroke) library, taal (rhythmic cycle) practice, guided lessons, and a step sequencer.

What is a "bol"? A bol is the spoken syllable for a specific tabla stroke — Dha, Tin, Ge, Na, and so on. The Bol Library lets you tap an interactive drum diagram (or a full list) to hear each one and read its technique.

How do I practice a taal? Open the Taals tab, pick a taal (Teentaal, Keherwa, Rupak, or Dadra), and press Play Theka. The beat grid and the theka phrase highlight in sync with the audio so you can follow the pulse. Adjust tempo with the slider, and turn on Humanize timing for a more natural, less metronomic feel.

How does the Sequencer work? Tap a step to select it, then tap a bol chip to assign it. Set the step count, tempo, swing, reverb, and volume, then press Play — it loops until you stop it. You can also load a classic taal as a starting point and edit it freely.

Can I save my own sequences? Yes — tap Save to name and store a sequence in your personal library, either as a new pattern or as an edited version of a built-in taal. Load, rename, or delete saved patterns from the library sheet.

Can I export what I make? Yes — the Export menu in the Sequencer offers a Standard MIDI File (for use in any DAW) or a rendered WAV audio file, both generated on your device and shared through Apple's standard share sheet.

What does the Tuning slider do? It fine-tunes the tabla's pitch up or down by up to 2 semitones, simulating a slightly smaller or larger drum. It's a subtle adjustment, not a full key change.

Does the app work offline? Yes — TablaLab works entirely offline. No internet connection is required or used for anything in the app.

Does the app collect any data? No. TablaLab collects no personal data of any kind and requests no device permissions. See our Privacy Policy for details.