Unique Middle Eastern percussion instruments

Middle Eastern music is renowned for its simple percussion instruments that are played in complex rhythms and grooves. It is impossible not to be captivated by these beats the moment you hear them.

Today, we will discuss the stars of this genre: Middle Eastern percussion instruments. They are remarkable for their basic structures, impressive embellishments, complex techniques, and intricate rhythm patterns.

How many Middle Eastern percussion instruments do you know? Let's explore some of the most important ones to understand them better.

Darbuka

One of the most iconic percussion instruments is the darbuka, a medium-sized goblet-shaped drum known for its low, sustained, fantastic sound. Played in many countries from Egypt to Turkey, the darbuka has various regional variations with slight nuances in different Middle Eastern cultures.

Historically, the goblet-shaped body was made of clay, while the drum head was crafted from goat or fish skin. Today, cast aluminum or fiberglass is preferred for the body, and synthetic skin is commonly used for the drum head.

Egyptian darbukas feature round edges on the drum head for rapid rolls, while Turkish darbukas have flat edges that facilitate finger-snapping techniques. Variations of the darbuka include Dirbakki, Doumbek, and Derbake.

Darbukas produce an incredible low-sustained sound using different striking techniques. The palms strike the middle of the drum head for bass tones, creating the Doum sound, while the fingers are used on the edges for higher-pitched tones.

In many ensembles, darbukas serve as the main percussion instrument, often accompanied by a riq. They are also frequently used in Western music alongside various percussion instruments. Many artists showcase the darbuka as a solo instrument.

Mazhar aka Bendir or Daff

A Middle Eastern percussion guide must include the frame drums, as they are central to religious music. The term daff refers to frame drums in the Arabic world, while in Egypt, it is called mazhar, and in Turkey and North Africa, it is known as bendir. All these instruments share a similar structure with a wooden frame and goat or fish skin stretched as the drum head, though they differ slightly in size and pitch. Nowadays, they are often made with synthetic skin and a tuning system to achieve the desired pitch.

These drums are primarily played in Sufi ceremonies and as accompanying instruments for singing. They remain highly popular in Middle Eastern folk, pop, and religious music today.

Sagat

Belly dancers are vital to Middle Eastern culture, and their percussion choice is sagat, finger cymbals made from brass. Traditionally, they are worn on the thumb and third finger of both hands and struck together to produce a high-pitched cymbal sound. Besides belly dancers, sagat also play a role in percussion orchestras as embellishment instruments. They have a long history in orchestras and military bands, though they are not typically the primary percussion instruments.

While smaller sagat or zillis are used by belly dancers, larger ones are preferred by orchestras and bands.

Davul aka Tupan or Katim

The largest member of the Middle Eastern percussion family is the davul, also known as tupan, a big double-headed drum played with sticks. While not very common in Arabic music, it is highly popular in Turkish and Romani music, often referred to as the king of drums in Turkey.

The davul is played with two sticks on both sides of the drum. The larger stick with a curved head produces the doum sound, which is bass, while the smaller stick with a straight body creates the high-pitched tak sounds. Traditionally, it was used for the marching music of the Ottoman Military. The heavier frame drum is popular in Arabic countries, and katim is another large frame drum that produces a dull sound. This big drum is played with hands and fingers, supporting other percussion instruments by accenting dum and tak sounds.

Riq

The instrument that can replace an entire percussion orchestra, the riq is one of the most significant drums in Middle Eastern culture. It is a relatively small frame drum with five double pairs of jingles on the sides, resembling a tambourine. Traditionally, the frame is made of wood, while the drum head is crafted from goat or fish skin. Modern riqs often feature synthetic drum heads.

The riq offers an impressive range of tones and playing techniques, from complex rhythmic patterns and elaborate finger rolls to shaking actions. In traditional Arabic music ensembles (known as Takht), the riq was the main percussion instrument in earlier times, but today it is mainly accompanied by the darbuka.

Conclusion

Percussion instruments are the heart of Middle Eastern music. They create beats and grooves that captivate audiences, thanks to their wide range of sounds.

Although mastering these instruments can be challenging, they are not overly complex to learn and start playing. If you are enamored with these tones, you can begin playing one of these instruments today!

Author bio:

Daniel Karni - The Owner of Ethnic Musical. An expert in Turkish and Arabic musical instruments since 2008. A multi-instrumentalist and a fan of Middle Eastern musical traditions, he plays the oud, saz, and ney.