How to Tune A Darbuka Easily

The darbuka, or dümbelek, is a percussion instrument used especially in the Middle East and the Balkans. Instruments similar to today's darbuka were used in Anatolia, Mesopotamia, and Central Asia in various shapes and sizes in the period before Christ. It was used in the same geographies by changing and developing in later processes.

About Darbuka Drum

Darbuka has been called by different names over time and according to the regions. Among these, we can list names such as "dumbek, dembelek, deplek, deblek, Dönbek, tömbek, coupki, debulak".

Those made of pottery are called "dümbelek" today, and the word "darbuka" is used for those made of tin.

It is an instrument used to keep the tempo in Turkish music. It is made by cladding leather on one side of an open pot on both sides. It is played by hitting it with the fingers.

Animal skin and, more recently, mostly synthetic leather are used in the instrument, which generally looks like a wide pipe on one side and a narrow pipe on the other. The leather is stretched on a hoop and stretched with the help of screws to provide tone. Decorations suitable for various local and cultural structures were also made on the body of this instrument, and they continue today.

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How To Tune a Darbuka Drum Easily

For the darbuka tuning, the allen key that is probably given to you with the darbuka is sufficient. The procedure followed for the tuning process is as follows: It is struck sequentially between the screws on the edges of the drum's striking surface. Screws are tightened or loosened until the same tone is obtained from all intervals. If the voices are not in the same tone, it will be difficult to give a good performance. At this point, it is very important that all intervals sound the same. When you gain ear familiarity for a certain period of time, you will recognize sounds much more easily over time.

Why Should You Tune Your Darbuka?

Tuning is something that is necessary for every musical instrument over a period of time. Tuning is called tuning for musical instruments to give a correct and high-quality sound. Each instrument has its own unique tuning. Thanks to the tuning adjustment, your tambourine produces the sounds you want properly and exactly as desired. If the tuning is not done properly, the sounds that come out may not be of good quality.

How Often Should You Tune Your Darbuka?

If you haven't played your darbuka for a while, it's a good idea to check your tuning. Otherwise, you don't need to tune every day. On the other hand, if there is a difference in the sound when playing from time to time, it is also useful to adjust the tuning.

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