Darbuka Origins and Structure The Darbuka is a goblet-shaped drum. Many people consider it to be the leader of percussion instruments in the Middle East and North Africa. It is also played widely across South East Asia, namely in Indonesia and Malaysia. It typically falls in the World Percussion category of musical instruments. The Darbuka …
Chapter 13 Choosing Rhythms Introduction Choosing the best rhythm to play is something that many people still early on in their journey might struggle with. For some it will come very easily, however it can be tough to figure out. There are some general guidelines we can follow Time signatures Staying in time is crucial …
Chapter 9 Use of a Metronome Introduction Let’s look at how to use a metronome in our practice. If you’re not familiar with what a metronome is, the definition from the Oxford dictionary is: “A device used by musicians that marks time at a selected rate by giving a regular tick.” A metronome can take …
Guide 4: Ornamenting Darbuka Rhthms (Edited 2023) Read More »
Reading Drum Tabs Drum tabs are simplified ways for drummers to read and notate rhythms. They replace traditional sheet music for many drummers who want to start playing and practicing but have not gotten to the point in their studies where they have learnt how to read musical scores. In this book, I will use …
Guide 3: Your First Darbuka Rhythms (Edited 2023) Read More »
How to Hold the Darbuka There are two common sitting positions when playing the Darbuka. Depending on how you will sit when playing, there will be a slightly different technique to hold the Darbuka securely. You can also play while standing. Sitting on a chair Sit down on a chair with both of your feet …
