| Upon entering the term "goblet drum" into my | | | | can be made to produce two different and |
| search engine, the first thing that pops up is a | | | | distinct types of sound. The deeper of the two is |
| picture of a simbati from Egypt. Despite the fact | | | | called a "doum," and this created by striking the |
| that I know it is a musical instrument, I am | | | | head near its center with the length of the fingers |
| immediately struck by its physical beauty more | | | | and palm. The higher-pitched sound, produced by |
| than its musical potential. With a background the | | | | hitting the edge of the head with the fingertips, is |
| color of lapis lazuli and an intricate design of birds | | | | called a "tek." Other, more complex techniques, |
| and flowers, this chalice-shaped hand drum would | | | | including snaps, slaps, pops and rolls, may also be |
| not look out of place in an alcove designed for a | | | | used. In certain areas f Bulgaria, Turkey and |
| work of art. Of course, to those who understand | | | | Egypt, drummers sometimes use a thin stick in |
| it, a chalice drum is something to be played rather | | | | one hand while the other remains empty. |
| than looked at. | | | | Goblet drums may actually be divided into two |
| The name "goblet drum" is derived from the | | | | categories, those of the Egyptian style and those |
| instrument's shape, which is distinctly chalice-like. | | | | of the Turkish style. The former is characterized |
| This instrument is fairly localized in its traditional | | | | by rounded edges around the head, while the |
| origins, which are primarily Mediterranean and | | | | latter exposes these edges. This difference helps |
| Middle Eastern, although Thailand, Laos and West | | | | explain some of the signatures of the two playing |
| Africa all have their own versions. Examples of | | | | styles. For example, the Egyptian style features |
| this instrument include the "tablah" of Egypt, the | | | | rapid rolls, but these are discouraged by the hard |
| "toumberleki" of Greece, the "darbuka" of Israel | | | | edges of Turkish goblet drums. However, such |
| and the "zairbaghali" of Afghanistan. The goblet | | | | edges also allow for closer access to the head, |
| drum is especially common in the Islamic world, | | | | thereby permitting the snapping techniques |
| and the design of the instrument is generally held | | | | associated with Turkish playing. |
| to be quite old; there are even those who | | | | There are two positions in which to hold the |
| suggest that its invention predates that of the | | | | goblet drum: either under one arm or between |
| chair. Regardless of that particular detail, the | | | | the knees. There are a variety of rhythms used |
| goblet drum can be safely assumed to be one of | | | | with this instrument, referred to collectively as |
| the ancient instruments of human civilization. | | | | "dumbek" rhythms, and they range in application |
| The body of this instrument is usually made of | | | | from traditional folk to modern dance. The goblet |
| pottery, wood or metal. It has a single thin drum | | | | drum has even been used in some classical |
| head of either animal skin or a manmade material, | | | | European compositions, such as the opera "Les |
| and the sound of this head is characteristically | | | | Troyens. |
| crisp. When played by an expert, the goblet drum | | | | |