The Doumbek is a chalice or goblet drum that is of ancient origin. Made from metal, nickel, ceramic, or wood, a wide variety of Doumbeks exist and often their appearance and what they are created from is based on where they originate. The drum itself is generally 18 inches high with a drumhead that is 10 inches in width. There are two main types of Doumbeks, Turkish and Egyptian. The Egyptian ornate Doumbeks have rounded edges and can be found covered in hieroglyphics or ornate designs. The Turkish Doumbek exposes the edge and makes it useful for finger snaps.
When playing a Doumbek, there are two main sounds that are possible. The 'Doum' sound is a deep sound that you can create by striking the head of the drum with your fingers and palm. The second sound is called 'Tek' or 'Ka', and is produced by using your fingertips and hitting the edge of the drumhead. It is also common to use the fingertips and a small stick to create beats.
The Doumbek: Ancient Origins to Modern day music
When walking through a drum store or browsing the pages of an Internet site dedicated to the sale of drums, most people seek to buy based on two criteria: sound quality and visual appearance. For people who are looking for a drum that features high quality beats and is simply beautiful to look at, they look no further than a Doumbek.
The head of the Doumbek is traditionally created from goatskin or fish-skin. As the skin is thin, the head is able to provide particularly crisp and clean sounds that resonate. When using the Doumbek, the player holds it under one arm or places it in their lap with the head toward their knees. Occasionally a player mounts the drum on a shoulder strap so that playing is possible while standing.
The Doumbek is popular in many forms of music today, and it is particularly dominant in modern Middle Eastern music. Also found in Lebanon and North Africa, the Doumbek is considered a lead percussion drum. The Doumbek has been featured in historical opera such as 'Les Troyens' in 1856 and as part of the composition 'Fantasia-Tahmeel' focusing on the goblet drums in the 1950s.
The Doumbek is a drum known for its ability to provide you with crisp slaps while packaged in a stunning goblet design. Whatever your reason for buying, the Doumbek is sure to be a welcome addition to your drum set.
Popular Doumbek Players Whether they are demonstrating specific Doumbek methods or recording beautiful music, Issam Houshan, Amir Naoum Chehade, and Jonathan Kessler all take the Doumbek to the next level.
How to Play the Doumbek There are three basic sounds you can create on the Doumbek; Doum, Tek, and Ka. The 'Doum' sound is created by using the four fingers of the hand you primarily use when drumming.
