Darbuka And Its Uniqueness
Darbuka is an amazing middle eastern percussion instrument that is widely used even in African countries like Egypt. Darbuka has an amazing structure and this instrument has a metal body instead of the traditional wood and has plastic skin instead of the regular animal skin. The Darbuka has got its inspiration from the Djembe of Africa. The ancient Arabs of the Egyptian region developed this instrument to add it to their ensemble. This instrument is very unique and easy to carry. Darbuka has this very exotic tone that it creates when we play the instrument because of the skin that is used to create the effect. The plastic skin that is used for Darbuka makes it easy to maintain and is cost-efficient. The skin does not get spoilt due to weather conditions and this is a blessing for percussionists so they don’t have to change the skin of the drum regularly.
I as a percussionist love this instrument because of the unique sound it creates that makes the audience feel good from within and makes them enjoy the beats. The moment I play this instrument the maqams that we create make the music soulful and blissful. Maqams are the traditional Arabic music notations or musical notes that the artists usually follow to create amazing and complex patterns that the middle eastern audience love. I feel this instrument welcoming because of the musical genre and the texture of music it plays. Darbuka is one such percussion instrument that creates loving music all by itself. The solo performances of this instrument are very eye-pleasing because of the technique and the flawless movements the players use to create some mesmerizing effect.
The main point that I have tried to focus on in all my blogs is the importance of how music plays in creating that meditative space in our minds. Arabic music is very devotional because of the Sufi tradition or genre they follow and believe. Music is a very eternal medium to express our emotions and to understand the feeling. Darbuka is a very charming instrument because of the sound it creates and the rhythm makes everyone tap their feet according to the beat. I feel the vibe as a percussionist when I play the instrument. The divine power that is used to create this meditative aura is what makes the music so special and entertaining. Darbuka is one of my favorite instruments because of all these unique features. The good relaxation mode is what we all feel when we listen to music and I feel all genres play a very important role in sculpting the mind because of the healing quality of music. These instruments have made our musical journey special by adding various flavors into our minds about the uniqueness of music.
As you have read my blogs about exploring new musical genres and instruments you all know that this is my passion and I love to bring the cultural influence of the instruments in front of my audience. This gives us a sense of knowledge as well as the opportunity to listen to various other instruments and find the particular point that will catch our interest. I have always loved Arabic music because of me staying in an Arab country. This has bestowed me with the opportunity to learn this beautiful instrument and I feel happy to share my thoughts with you all.
A video for all of you to enjoy this instrument :-
Reference :-
David Hinojosa Darbuka Drum Solo. (2017, November 5). [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXryYh8Ue1k
