History of a Doumbek Drum: 

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The doumbek has become a very popular “World Drum” that’s generally considered to be of North African or Middle-Eastern descent.  Doumbeks are hand drums (played with the hands, not sticks or mallets) which feature a distinctive goblet-like shape.  These drums come in a variety of sizes and styles as well as prices.  Although traditionally made of clay or wood, metals such as aluminum (cast, spun, or sheet-formed), copper, brass, or other alloys are commonly used to construct the shells. Modern doumbek drums are also often made of synthetic materials, including fiberglass or similar composites.

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The doumbek (sometimes spelled doumbec, dumbec, or dumbek) is also known as a chalice drum, a darbuka, or a goblet drum.  It typically features a thin drum head, which provides its characteristically crisp and clear sound.  Drumheads can be tuned to high pitches in order to produce the range of articulated “tek”and “doum” tones for which the doumbek is most recognized.  Traditional doumbek heads were made from animal skins – especially goatskins.  Fish skins were also commonly used, particularly on the original clay doumbeks.  

 

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