Doumbek, Doumbec, Dumbeg, Derbeki,
Darbouka & Tabla
(Goblet drum synonymous names used by various cultures)
It is generally assumed the doumbek originated in the middle east, but not
so. It actually did not arrive there until after the time of Christ.
There were no pictures on the Pharonic walls and they pictured everything!
The first doumbek shell artifacts were carbon dated back to 4,000 BC and
were found in of all places, Bohemia.
There was a Celtic tribe called the Boiis that moved south instead of west like
the other tribes. It appears they developed the doumbek there.
We made our first doumbek in 1974 using moulds and a one-step firing process
to keep costs low. Unfortunately, if the process is off a little, we get
some shells with slight blemishes. We offer these at a nice discount.
The synthetic heads produce clear and crisp sounds in a wide variety of
pitches. This "fishtone" synthetic head is also stronger than a
natural skin. With this head, you don't have to worry about heat and humidity
affecting the drum as with the natural animal skin heads. The
"fishtone" synthetic head is made to sound similar to the natural
fishskin heads, which are rarely used since they are so delicate and weather
sensitive.
Some people prefer the popular natural goatskin heads, which provide lower,
more subtle tones. InstrumentalSavings.com uses goatskin heads on bodhrans,
tambourines, frame drums, some doumbeks, and African style drums, such as the
djembe and ashiko.
Calfskin is more translucent than goatskin. It produces higher tones and
sharper pitches. Any drumhead that is beat with a mallet is usually calfskin,
since it tends to be stronger than goatskin. Calfskin is usually used on zarbs,
bongos, and banjos.
If the head is loosened due to humidity, one can tighten the head with a
damp cloth placed on the head for about 15 minutes. Then let the head dry
naturally. It is important to make sure water does not get into the glue joint.
If the drum is a tabla, water must not get on the gaab (center black dot).
Also, applying heat from a hair dryer will tighten the head.
Nile River Sturgeon is used because it tends to be the strongest available.
Remember that fishskin heads are delicate. Only a few of the Nile River
sturgeon are larger than 12", which is why these skins are more expensive.
Animal skin heads can usually be put on drums with wood glue and masking
tape. However, if you have a ceramic drum with a synthetic head, InstrumentalSavings.com
will rehead the drum for you using a proprietary process. Simply send the drum
to InstrumentalSavings.com for a rehead. (this can be done with natural skin
heads also) InstrumentalSavings.com does not guarantee to be able to put a head
on any drum.
A zarb is mellower and more resonate than a doumbek. The zarb produces a
lower "tec".
"Doum" is the term used to refer to stroking the center of the
drumhead, creating a lower note. "Tec" is the term drummers use when
referring to hitting the drum edge, which creates a higher and sharper note.
The wide neck doumbek has shorter resonance and a higher "doum".
The flare on the narrow neck drum adds to the resonance resulting in a deeper
"doum".
