Category Archives: Instruments

The darbuka is the quintessential Middle Eastern hand drum. It is a popular percussion instrument that is played throughout Northern Africa, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and the Balkans. Its name varies based on region, it is also commonly known as Dumbek or Tablah.

Although the early history of the darbuka is unclear, it is believed to be of ancient origin. Artistic representations only document the existence of the darbuka as early as the 19^th century though. Since the 20^th century, it has been the dominant percussion instrument in Middle Eastern music. In earlier times, large-hooped frame drums, such as the Riq, Tar, and Daf, were the main percussion instruments.

The darbuka is a goblet-shaped drum often made from clay, wood, aluminum, or copper. The head of the drum is traditionally made from goat’s skin, although synthetic drum heads are now more common. There are 2 main types of darbuka, the Turkish Darbuka and the Egyptian Darbuka. The Turkish Darbuka is typically made of a lightweight metal and has a sharp edge on the head of the drum. The Egyptian Darbuka is typically made of a heavier clay and features thick, rounded edges around the drum head. Intricate geometric tilework on the body of the drum is characteristic of the Egyptian style.

Playing Techniques

The darbuka is played with the hands, often requiring highly complex finger techniques. When learning the darbuka, it is first important to learn each bol, or stroke. Each bol is a phonetic sound that refers to a specific stroke on the drum. Some basic bols include Doum, tek, and ka.

Doum is the deep bass sound. It is played by the right hand, holding the fingers together, striking the center of the drum and allowing it to bounce off.

Tek is the high rim sound played by the right hand. It is played by using the middle and ring finger to strike the edge of the drum.

Ka is the high rim sound played by the left hand.

Pa is a slap sound. It is played with loose fingers and the hand is kept on the head of the drum.

Traditional Rhythms

Using the system of bols, one can express a rhythm in a spoken form. It is quite common for a musician to recite the rhythm first, then play the rhythm.

The steel pan was invented in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1930’s. It is the only major musical instrument to be invented in the 20^th century, as well as being the only major instrument invented from industrial waste. Now the national instrument of Trinidad, the steel pan is a form of identity and cultural pride.

History

The steel pan emerged as a result of a long history of colonial oppression. Since the arrival of slaves in the 1700’s, African drumming traditions played an important role in celebrations, ceremonies, and communication. After the emancipation in 1834, the colonists were especially threatened with the idea of drumming, as it became associated with street celebrations and kalindas, stick-fighting gangs that would have their own rhythms to call members to clash. Drumming and singing played a major role in the lively Carnaval celebrations, another opportunity for people to take to the streets. In 1884, all drumming was banned by the British ruling class for fear that the lower class may be sending coded messages that would lead to a revolt.

The British ban on hand drums and drum parades lead to the “Tamboo Bamboo” era. Tuned bamboo sticks were cut to different lengths and were pounded into the ground to produce different sounds. In the 1930’s, scrap metal objects began to enter the Tamboo Bamboo ensembles since they were stronger and louder than bamboo. In 1934, the British banned Tamboo Bamboo.

The year 1935 signals the switch from bamboo to metal and the steel pan as we know it begins to emerge. At this time, the Tamboo Bamboo ensembles begin using any scrap metal object they can find, garbage cans, tins, paint cans, spoons, bottles, and even the brake wheels from automobiles. During parades, the groups would often compete to see who had the loudest sound. This would cause the metal to dent and become concave. The drummer would try to pound the metal back into shape. Eventually it was realized that different notes were created by denting different parts of the “drum.”

The 1^st musical steel pan was a convex dome with 4 notes dented into the surface. The initial sound was rough and gritty, very different from the clear tones of the modern pan.

Steel Pan Pioneers

The steel pan would not be what it is today without a few key pioneers. These individuals played an essential role in the development of the steel pan.

Winston “Spree” Simon created the first “melody” steel pan with 8 notes. Enough to play a full melody.

Ellie Mannette is considered the “father of the modern steel drum.” He was the first to use a concave bowl shape rather than the convex dome shape in his creations. He is also known for his skillful tuning techniques.

Anthony Williams created the “Spider Web Pan,” which used intervals of 4ths and 5ths to arrange the notes of the pan. This resulted in a higher quality sound and less dissonance. He is also the first person to use a 55-gallon oil drum to construct his steel pan.

Types of Steel Pans

Years of experimentation with the design of the steel pan lead to a collection of highly refined instruments. Here are the most common types of steel pans used in the steel band.

Soprano (also called Lead or Tenor Pan) The soprano is the highest of the steel pans. It can be used for melodies, counter melodies, harmony, and for chords. The arrangement of notes is in a pattern called the Circle of Fifths. An outer ring contains the lower notes and an inner circle contains the same notes one octave higher. Double Tenor Pans were invented by Bertie Marshall, who played two tenor pans together.

Double Seconds (also called Alto) The Double Seconds were invented by Sonny Roach. These have a lower pitch than that of theSoprano. These are often used for counter melodies and harmony. The tuning of these 2 pans follows the whole-note scale.

Baritones (also called Double Guitar) The Baritones are double pans that have a limited range of notes and are usually used to “strum” the chords. Their main function is to provide the harmony in a song.

Bass (also called Six Bass) These multiple pans played by one person to provide the bass notes for the song. The most common set consists of 6 Bass pans, although 7 bass, 9 bass, and 12 bass pans are occasionally used. The arrangement of notes follows an augmented chord.

     Due to the variety of steel pans, the steel band has the full tonal range of a classical orchestra. Notes can be tuned chromatically, meaning that virtually any song can be played with the steel band. For the same reason, the steel pan can be played with virtually any other instrument.

     The story of the steel pan is really a story of transformation. Originating from some of the least-privileged neighborhoods as makeshift metal percussion, the steel pan has evolved into a truly elegant, sophisticated instrument. After decades of shifting attitudes towards the instrument, the steel pan became the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago in 1991 and has continued to gain international recognition. Now, the delightful melodies of the steel pan are enjoyed all around the world.

The melodica was invented in the 1950’s by the Hohner music company, although it has been suggested that earlier models of the instrument existed in Italy as early as the 19^th century. The melodica is a free reed instrument with a keyboard that is similar to the harmonica and the pump organ. It is categorized as a wind instrument since it produces sound by blowing air through the instrument.

The melodica is played by first blowing air through an airtube on the side of the instrument. A key is pressed on the keyboard which opens a hole that allows the air to flow through a metallic reed. Most melodicas will have a range of 2 to 3 octaves.

The body of the instrument is usually made of plastic, although there is a wooden version called the Mylodica. The melodica can be either held from a strap on the back of the instrument and played with one hand or laid flat on a table played with both hands, similar to the piano.

The melodica is truly a unique instrument. The melodica’s sound is especially unique, it has its own character, although at times it can sound similar to the harmonica or the accordion. The melodica has more range and depth than the harmonica, but can only produce sound when blowing outward. It is easier to play than the accordion, both in air control and keyboard technique, but lacks some of the volume and bass that the accordion has.

Unlike other woodwinds, which can only play one note at a time (monophonic), the melodica can play multiple notes at the same time (polyphonic). Not to mention other woodwinds require multiple fingers for one note, here on the melodica, only one finger is needed. Accidentals (notes with flats or sharps) can easily be played on melodica, where on other woodwinds extra keys or uncomfortable fingerings may be necessary. Chords and melodies can also be played together which makes it an especially versatile wind instrument.

The melodica can be a great instrument for kids learning music in school, pianists who want a light-weight portable instrument to take a jam in the park, composers looking for a different sound, and anyone in between.