The instrument I decided to learn was the Tabla! This is a classic Indian instrument, usually played in the northern parts of India and is very closely linked as one of the most famous of the Punjabi/Sikh instruments. As a child my brother sat in his room beating his Tabla, at first it sounded rather interesting as he experimented with different sounds and rhythms, but after a while it just got irritating! I always thought I could play so much better as he made it look so easy and after seeing the success my brother had learning an instrument, I finally thought I would also give it a try. How wrong I was!

Learning a new instrument was one the hardest things I've ever done, you watch the professionals (including my brother now) and they make it seem as if anyone can do it. Mind you, anyone can, if you have the time and effort to put into it. Alongside studying and working full-time, giving the instrument time was very difficult and slow learning process.

As I played it more and understood the deeper meanings behind certain rhythms and heard stories about the greats from both my teacher (Guruji) and brother, I started to fall in love with the instrument, and I could understand now why my brother spent countless hours playing it. It was like a constructive outlet, when angry play faster, harder, deeper and more complex rhythms, and when calm play slow, classical and melodious rhythms. Now I have to say it's hard for you to pull me away from it, although I'm still shy to play in public!

I think my teacher also appreciated an older student, being older I knew what I wanted to achieve, I chose to learn from him and really took in everything he said (which I'm sure he loved as he's a guy who does not stop talking either!), which is unlike a child who is often forced by his/her parents to go learn. My teacher and I grew to be close friends, but in "class" I always knew where I stood. We often shared experiences, practiced together and I really enjoyed learning because of this.

In the end thinking about it now, I very much prefer to have learnt an instrument at this stage in my life rather than as a child, because as a child I had absolutely no interest in doing so, and would only have learnt because my parents forced me to learn. I believe that learning as an adult has made this experience fun as well as efficient too and I appreciate the experience more. LastlyI still can't play anywhere near as good as my brother can! He's still my source for inspiration on this topic, I guess years of tireless practice and dedication on his part really paid off!

Learn more about this author, Vishal Kohli.
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