Goblet Drum

The goblet drum (also chalice drum, tarabuka, tarabaki, darbuka, darabuka, derbake, debuka, doumbek, dumbec, dumbeg, dumbelek, toumperleki, tumbak, or zerbaghali; arz, دربوكة / Romanized: ) is a single-head membranophone with a goblet-shaped body. It is most commonly used in the traditional music of Egypt, where it is considered the National symbol of Egyptian Shaabi Music. The instrument is also featured in traditional music from West Asia, North Africa, South Asia, and Eastern Europe. The African djembe is also a goblet membranophone. This article focuses on the Middle Eastern and North African goblet drum.

History

The origin of the term ''Darbuka'' probably lies in the Arabic word "daraba" ("to strike").

Goblet drums have been around for thousands of years and were used in Mesopotamian and Ancient Egyptian cultures.
They were also seen in Babylonia and Sumer from as early as 1100 BCE. On Sulawesi, large goblet drums are used as temple instruments and placed on the floor when played, which may reflect ancient use of the drum.Sadie, Stanley, (1980). "Darbuka". ''The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians''. Vol. 5. p. 239. .

Technique

The ''Eastern'' and ''North-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 the djembe, found in West 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 the Egyptian 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 (see dumbek rhythms) that form the basis of the folkloric and modern music and dance styles of the Middle East.

There are three main sounds produced by the goblet drum. The first is called a "doom". It is the deeper bass 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 in Greece, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania and Turkey is to tap with the fingers of one hand and with a thin drum stick in the other.
In Turkey the stick is called the ''çubuk'', which means ''wand'', or stick, and where the Romanis there occasionally use this technique.

Use in Western classical music

The first known Western classical composition to feature a goblet drum is the opera ''Les Troyens'' (1856–1858) by the French composer Hector Berlioz, which calls for a ''tarbuka'' in the Dance of the Nubian Slaves in Act IV.

The first compositions for goblet drum and orchestra were composed by the Egyptian- American musician Halim El-Dabh in the 1950s; his ''Fantasia-Tahmeel'' for goblet drum and strings was premiered in New York City in 1958, with a string orchestra conducted by Leopold Stokowski.

Notable goblet drum musicians

* Setrak Sarkissian
* Said El Artist
* Hossam Ramzy
* Rony Barrak
* Carmine Guida
* Djamchid Chemirani
* Pettik Ádám
* California Monster
* Jad Hamawi
* Bilal Göregen
* Alberto Christodoulou

Gallery

File:Khmer drum 01.jpg, Cambodian '' skor daey'', also known as skor arak. This is the smaller of two Cambodian goblet drums, the other being called '' skor chhaiyam'' (Khmer: ស្គរឆៃយ៉ាំ).
File:Darbouka égyptienne recadrée.jpg, Egyptian tabla and darabuka
File:Tumbaknaer.jpg, Indian tumbaknaer
File:Tombak Tonbak Persian percussion Instrument.jpg, Iranian/Persian tombak or zarb
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Enkelvellige bekertrom van aardewerk TMnr 3492-3.jpg, Libyan darbuka
File:Darabuka2.jpg, Turkish drum
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Enkelvellige bekertrom van aardewerk TMnr 2439-34.jpg, Moroccan taarija
File:Nimadoumbek.jpg, Man playing a doumbek
File:TOYMBELEKI (Pottery drum).jpg, TOYMBELEKI Museum of Popular Instruments, Research Centre for Ethnomusicology. In Plaka, Athens, Greece.

See also

* Ashiko
* Duhulla
* Taarija
* Tonbak
* Toubeleki

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Goblet Drum

Egyptian music
Egyptian musical instruments
Ancient Egyptian musical instruments
Arabic music
Iranian musical instruments
Arabic musical instruments
African percussion instruments
Asian percussion instruments
Drums
European percussion instruments
Hand drums
Serbian musical instruments
Tubular drums
Turkish musical instruments
Early musical instruments

ar:دربوكة