Any Doumbekers?

[echoofformless]

Just wanted to know if there are any doumbek operators out here. I'm starting to get lonely.

[zaragemca]

Yes,several of my students play the Doumbek in my Drum-Circle.

[JulianFC]

I have a doumbek :D If only I had a teacher :confused:

[zaragemca]

It is general the same technique of hand-percussion with a little adaptation to the diameter and the different surface of this type of drum.

[echoofformless]

Hmm....I wouldn't say that. The Arabic instruments are a much different mindset than congas and bongos and stuff like that. It's all in finger techniques and strokes.

If you can't find a teacher, there is an EXCELLENT video available....it's called Voices of The Doumbek with Robin Adnan Anders. Covers all of your basic strokes, introduces the basic rhythms, and also covers some aspects of centering your mind and other techniques to get the most from your playing. I'd recommend most highly.

Also listen to music with the instrument. Check out some straight Arabic music, or if you can't find any, the Page and Plant UnLedded video has some masterful Egyptian percussion playing courtesy of Hossam Ramzy, who has also worked with Peter Gabriel and Loreena McKennitt. He has an album called Sabla Tolo which is all just him playing in layers. It's truly astonishing stuff.

http://www.hossamramzy.com/

[JulianFC]

Thanks man. I didn't see this response or I would have thenked you sooner. Not many Egytian doumbek players where I live :D Not many Egyptians.

[zaragemca]

My brother it is not a different minset, it all depend of what king of music your playing,there are many players using that instrument without getting in to Arabic mind-set,also the finger technique have been widely used by bongos and conga players when doing shows,solos,special effect patterns,etc.The surface of the Doumbeck and the making(sometime metalic) is what make the finger strokes more relevant.Also the technique of placing the instruments under the arms(arabic style) is not better than placing the instruments between your legs,or in front of you somehow.

[echoofformless]

Not going to disagree with you....it's just that I am more of a purist and the best way to get the dumbek to sound like it's meant to is by using the arabic techniques and holding it under the shoulder.


But yeah, like anything else there are no rules, just good sounds. As ong as you make good sounds, you're following all the rules one needs.