Al momento de esta edicion, existen en el planeta aproximadamente 20 titulos dedicados al conocimiento y ensenanza del tabla, de los cuales tres estan escritos en hindi, uno bilingue (hindi e ingles) y el resto en ingles. Por ello el autor sintio la necesidad de escribir este libro en espanol. El fascinante mundo del tabla, es un compendio de investigaciones de sus libros de consulta, anotaciones durante clases en el Instituto Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, informacion recibida en clases privadas, largas horas de aprendizaje, y conversaciones con sus maestros en Nueva Delhi y Varanasi (India), asi como en Katmandu (Nepal). Informacion que ha venido acumulando y que ahora plasma en este primer libro editado en idioma espanol sobre la musica del norte de la India y del instrumento clasico de percusion denominado tabla. Durante los anos que vivio en la India el autor estudio dos de esas escuelas tradicionales, la dilli gharana en la Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Nueva Delhi, y la benares gharana, que estudio undamentalmente bajo la supervision y control de Pt. Kishan Maharaj (1923-2008) en Varanasi. Esta ensenanza fue al estilo tradicional conocido como guru-shishya parampara, ademas tuvo el honor de recibir de sus propias manos la ganda bandh shagird. Otros de sus maestros Pt. Ramkumar Mishra (nieto de Pt.Anokhelal Mishra, 1914-1958), Pt.Kishori Kumar Mishra, y Shubh Maharaj (nieto de Pt. Kishan Maharaj, 1923-2008). Ademas de un Junior diploma en tabla de la Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad, India. Dha Maharaj en su actividad como ejecutante del tabla, en los ultimos anos ha acompanado a bandas y artistas de diferentes estilos y generos musicales, como son el reggae, blues, jazz, pop, ska, flamenco, rock & roll como la leyenda viviente Ptt Lizardo y Pablo Dagnino, fusion con Hector Buitriago, la banda Gaelica; asi como participado como invitado en proyectos de la banda de ska Desorden Publico (Las estrellas del Caos. 2007), el guitarrista Bartolome Diaz (Ageless Friends. 2008), y con el guitarrista Emilio Mendoza (Emilio Mendoza & Ozono Jazz - Natura. 2009) con quien en los ultimos 9 anos viene tocando el tabla en sus diferentes formatos. El autor hasta la fecha ha compuesto dos obras de expresiones plasticas como son la danza contemporanea (Improvisaciones en teen taal, para bailarin y tabla) y la poesia (Cuatro poetas y un tabal-ji). Suele cooperar con la Embajada de la India en Caracas y con agrupaciones que practican disciplinas religiosas hindues, yoga y cantos devocionales, junto a organizaciones reconocidas como son los Hare Krishna, Amma, Sai Baba y Ananda Marga. En la medida de lo posible y motivado por su deseo de difundir la musica de la India, Dha Maharaj trata de asistir a congresos, impartir charlas, dar clases privadas y publicas, y ofrecer seminarios de ritmica del norte de la India a percusionista profesionales expertos en musica popular y musicos clasicos academicos de musica occidental, como es el caso de la Fundacion del Estado para el Sistema Nacional de las Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela - (FESNOJIV) invitado por el profesor Edgar Saume (bateria) o en el seminario Los latidos del Planeta que en su primera edicion agrupo a destacados percusionista venezolanos como son el maestro Carlos "Nene" Quintero, (percusionista afro latino), Carlos Rojas Zoccolo (percusion brasilena) y Elio Fernandez (bateria de rock & roll), acto realizado en las salas de UNEARTE Bellas Artes en la ciudad de Caracas, Venezuela. El fascinante mundo del tabla, es el primer libro escrito en espanol sobre la musica clasica de la India y enfocado primordialmente al instrumento de percusion del norte de India conocido como tabla. Su autor, el musico venezolano Dha Maharaj (Ulises J. Farias Yeguez) de una forma simple y amena traza la historia de la musica India, sus estilos, los instrumentos musicales melodicos y de percusion (del norte y sur), el sistema de notac"

An iconic symbol and sound of the Lucumi/Santeria religion, Afro-Cuban bata are talking drums that express the epic mythological narratives of the West African Yoruba deities known as "orisha." By imitating aspects of speech and song, and by metaphorically referencing salient attributes of the deities, bata drummers facilitate the communal praising of "orisha" in a music ritual known as a "toque de santo."

In "The Artistry of Afro-Cuban Bata Drumming," Kenneth Schweitzer blends musical transcription, musical analysis, interviews, ethnographic descriptions, and observations from his own experience as a ritual drummer to highlight the complex variables at work during a live Lucumi performance.

Integral in enabling trance possessions by the "orisha," by far the most dramatic expressions of Lucumi faith, bata drummers are also entrusted with controlling the overall ebb and flow of the four- to six-hour "toque de santo." During these events, bata drummers combine their knowledge of ritual with an extensive repertoire of rhythms and songs. Musicians focus on the many thematic acts that unfold both concurrently and in quick succession. In addition to creating an emotionally charged environment, playing salute rhythms for the "orisha," and supporting the playful song competitions that erupt between singers, bata drummers are equally dedicated to nurturing their own drumming community by creating a variety of opportunities for the musicians to grow artistically and creatively."

Steel Drums and Steelbands: A History is a vivid account of the events that led to the "accidental" invention of the steel drum: the only acoustic musical instrument invented in the 20th century. Angela Smith walks readers through the evolution of the steel drum from an object of scorn and tool of violence to one of the most studied, performed, and appreciated musical instruments today. Smith explores the development of the modern steelband, from its roots in African slavery in early Trinidad to the vast array of experiments in technological innovation and to the current explosion of steelbands in American schools. The book offers insights directly from major contributors of the steelband movement with sections devoted exclusively to pioneers and innovators. Drawing on seven years of research, repeated trips to the birthplace of the steel drum, Trinidad, and interviews with steelband pioneers, Smith takes readers far beyond the sunny associations of the steel drum with island vacations, cruise ships, and multiple encores of "Yellow Bird." Digging deep into Trinidad's history-a tale of indigenous extermination and African slavery, of French settlement and Spanish and British colonialism before mid-century independence-Smith weaves an unforgettable narrative of talking drums, kalinda stick fights, tamboo bamboo bands, iron bands, calypso, Carnival, and the U. S. military. Together, all played major roles in the evolution of today's steelband and in the panman's journey from renegade to hero in the steelband's move from the panyards of Trinidad's poorest neighborhoods to the world's most prestigious concert halls. The reader will discover how an instrument created by teenage boys, descendants of African slaves, became a world musical phenomena. Steel Drums and Steelbands is the ideal introduction to the steel drum, steelbands, and their history.

Modeled on the brilliant approach first formulated by distinguished professor of music and master clarinetist Michele Gingras in Clarinet Secrets and More Clarinet Secrets (both available from Scarecrow Press), the Music Secrets for the Advanced Musician series is designed for instrumentalists, singers, conductors, composers, and other instructors and professionals seeking quick pointers to improve their work as performers and producers of music. Easy to use and intended for the advanced musician, contributions to Music Secrets fill a niche for those who have moved beyond what beginners and intermediate practitioners need. Drum Kit Secrets: 52 Performance Strategies for the Advanced Drummer is an indispensable guide for any drum kit player. Drummer and historian Matt Dean covers a broad range of drum kit-related subjects to assist drummers already well versed in the instrument to advance and polish their skills for both live and studio performance. Drum Kit Secrets includes topics and tips on how and what to practice; how to develop one's timing and master the metronome; how to prepare for auditions and overcome stage fright; how to stay healthy as a drummer through proper eating, tried-and-true warm-up routines, and correct drum kit set up; how to select and maintain drum equipment; and how to create drum solos and improvise with ease. He also includes tips and tricks for mastering the studio setting, getting the most from one's drum kit, writing quick and easy drum charts, preparing for gigs, marketing oneself as a drummer, and much more. Drum Kit Secrets is the perfect resource for intermediate-level amateurs to working professionals. Dean draws on his many years as teacher and drum professional in this unique compilation of tips and performance strategies for advanced and expert players.

"Percussion" is an attempt--in the author's words--to make sense of "senseless beating," to grasp how rhythm makes sense in music and society. Both a scholar and a former professional drummer, John Mowitt forges a striking encounter between cultural studies and new musicology that seeks to lay out the "percussive field" through which beating--specifically the backbeat that defines early rock-and-roll--comes to matter for raced, urban subjects.
For Mowitt, percussion is both an experience of embodiment--making contact in and on the skin--and a provocation for critical theory itself. In delimiting the percussive field, he plays drumming off against the musicological account of the beat, the sociological account of shock and the psychoanalytical account of fantasy. In the process he touches on such topics as the separation of slaves and drums in the era of the slave trade, the migration of rural blacks to urban centers of the North, the practice and politics of "rough music," the links between interpellation and possession, the general strike, beating fantasies, and the concept of the "skin ego."
"Percussion" makes a fresh and provocative contribution to cultural studies, new musicology, the history of the body and critical race theory. It will be of interest to students of cultural studies and critical theory as well as readers with a serious interest in the history of music, rock-and-roll and drumming.

Sympathy for the Drummer: Why Charlie Watts Matters is both a gonzo rush capturing the bristling energy of the Rolling Stones and the times in which they lived and a wide-eyed reflection on why the Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band in the World needed the world's greatest rock 'n' roll drummer. Across five decades, Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts has had the best seat in the house. Charlie Watts, the anti-rock star an urbane jazz fan with a dry wit and little taste for the limelight was witness to the most savage years in rock history, and emerged a hero, a warrior poet. With his easy swing and often loping, uneven fills, he found nuance in a music that often had little room for it, and along with his greatest ally, Keith Richards, he gave the Stones their swaggering beat. While others battled their drums, Charlie played his modest kit with finesse and humility, and yet his relentless grooves on the nastiest hard-rock numbers of the era (Gimme Shelter, Street Fighting Man, Brown Sugar, Jumpin' Jack Flash, etc.) delivered a dangerous authenticity to a band that on their best nights should have been put in jail. Author Mike Edison, himself a notorious raconteur and accomplished drummer, tells a tale of respect and satisfaction that goes far beyond drums, drumming, and the Rolling Stones, ripping apart the history of rock'n'roll, and celebrating sixty years of cultural upheaval. He tears the sheets off of the myths of music making, shredding the phonies and the frauds, and unifies the frayed edges of disco, punk, blues, country, soul, jazz, and R and B the soundtrack of our lives. Highly opinionated, fearless, and often hilarious, Sympathy is as an unexpected treat for music fans and pop culture mavens, as edgy and ribald as the Rolling Stones at their finest, never losing sight of the sex and magic that puts the roll in the rock the beat, that crazy beat! and the man who drove the band, their true engine, the utterly irreplaceable Charlie Watts.