The ''mazhar'' ( ar, مزهر; plural ''mazāhar'', مزاهر) is a large, heavy
tambourine
The tambourine is a musical instrument in the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zills". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though ...
used in
Arabic music
Arabic music or Arab music ( ar, الموسيقى العربية, al-mūsīqā al-ʿArabīyyah) is the music of the Arab world with all its diverse music styles and genres. Arabic countries have many rich and varied styles of music and also man ...
. The mazhar's frame is generally made out of wood. Its single head is considerably thicker than that of the ''
riq
Daf ( fa, دف) also known as Dâyere and Riq is a Middle Eastern (mainly Iranian) frame drum musical instrument, used in popular and classical music in South and Central Asia. It is also used in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Iran, Uzbe ...
'', its smaller cousin. Some drums have
brass
Brass is an alloy of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), in proportions which can be varied to achieve different mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties. It is a substitutional alloy: atoms of the two constituents may replace each other with ...
zills that are about 10–13 centimetres (4–5 inches) in diameter; these may be played with a shaking technique.
The Egyptian percussionist
Hossam Ramzy is a notable performer of the mazhar.
See also
External links
''Mazhar'' pagefrom N. Scott Robinson site
''Mazhar'' pagefrom OnestopIsraelShop
Asian percussion instruments
Hand drums
Arabic musical instruments
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