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Percussion instrument | |
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Other names | chalice drum, tarabuka (tarambuka), tarabaki, darbuka, derbake, debuka, doumbek, dumbec, dumbeg, dumbelek, dumbul, toumperleki (tumberleki), tumbak, zerbaghali |
Classification | hand percussion,Membranophone |
Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 211.26 |
Developed | Egypt |
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Thegoblet drum (alsochalice drum,tarabuka,tarabaki,darbuka,darabuka,derbake,debuka,doumbek,dumbec,dumbeg,dumbelek,toumperleki,tumbak, orzerbaghali;[1]Egyptian Arabic:دربوكة /Romanized:darbuka) is a single-headmembranophone with agoblet-shaped body.[2] It is most commonly used in the traditional music ofEgypt, where it is considered thenational symbol ofEgyptian Shaabi Music.[3] The instrument is also featured in traditional music fromWest Asia,North Africa,South Asia, andEastern Europe.[4] The West Africandjembe is also a goblet membranophone.[5] This article focuses on the Middle Eastern and North African goblet drum.
The origin of the termDarbuka lies in the ruralEgyptian Arabicslang word that changed "darb" meaning "to strike" into "darabuka".[6]
Goblet drums have been around for thousands of years and were used in Mesopotamian andAncient Egyptian cultures.They were also seen inBabylonia andSumer from as early as 1100 BCE. OnSulawesi, large goblet drums are used as temple instruments and placed on the floor when played, which may reflect ancient use of the drum.[7]
TheEastern andNorth-African goblet drums are played under the arm or resting on the player's leg, with a much lighter touch and quite different strokes (sometimes including rolls or quick rhythms articulated with the fingertips) to hand drums such as thedjembe, found inWest Africa.
There are two main types of goblet drums. The Egyptian style, Darbuka, is also known as Tabla and is very popular; it has rounded edges around the head, whereas the Turkish style exposes the edge of the head. The exposed edge allows closer access to the head so finger-snapping techniques can be done, but the hard edge discourages the rapid rolls possible with theEgyptian style.
The goblet drum may be played while held under one arm (usually the non-dominant arm) or by placing it sideways upon the lap (with the head towards the player's knees) while seated. Some drums are also made with strap mounts so the drum may be slung over the shoulder, to facilitate playing while standing or dancing. It produces a resonant, low-sustain sound while played lightly with the fingertips and palm. Some players move their fists in and out of the bell to alter the tone. Some players also place their hands on the surface of the drum to produce a muted sound. There are a variety of rhythms (seedumbek rhythms) that form the basis of thefolkloric and modern music and dance styles of theMiddle East.
There are three main sounds produced by the goblet drum. The first is called a "doom". It is the deeperbass sound produced by striking the head near the center with the length of the fingers and palm and taking off the hand for an open sound. The second is called the "tak" and is the higher-pitched sound produced by hitting near the edge of the head with the fingertips. A "tak" struck with the secondary hand is also known as a "ka". The third is the closed sound "pa" (also called "sak"), for which the hand is briefly rested on the head so as not to permit an open sound. Additionally, there are more complex techniques including snaps, slaps, pops and rolls that are used to ornament the basic rhythm. Hand clapping and hitting the sides of the drum can be used in addition to drumhead sounds.
Another technique commonly used inGreece,Bulgaria,North Macedonia,Albania andTurkey is to tap with the fingers of one hand and with athin drum stick in the other.InTurkey the stick is called theçubuk, which meanswand, or stick, and where theRomanis there occasionally use this technique.[citation needed]
The first known Western classical composition to feature a goblet drum is the operaLes Troyens (1856–1858) by the French composerHector Berlioz, which calls for atarbuka in the Dance of the Nubian Slaves in Act IV.
The first compositions for goblet drum and orchestra were composed by theEgyptian-American musicianHalim El-Dabh in the 1950s; hisFantasia-Tahmeel for goblet drum and strings was premiered inNew York City in 1958, with a string orchestra conducted byLeopold Stokowski.