Amusement Graphics Writing Music Diversions Television Movies Books Music Recreation MUD/MUSH RPG SCA Digressions Resume Contact Music Dumbek Electric Acoustic The dumbek is a traditional middle-eastern drum, shaped much like a goblet or hourglass. The bodies are mostly made from wood, clay, ceramic, or aluminum. The drum head itself can be made from animal skin (usually goat), fish skin, or mylar. That's not my dumbek in the photograph, but mine is similar. My drum is manufactured in Egypt, and is made from spun aluminum with a clear mylar head on top. The drum rests on the lap, and its body is tucked under the left arm (or the right arm, if you're left-handed) for playing. Some players grasp the drum between their knees. The first three sound clips feature Tommy on bouzouki, and myself on the dumbek, recorded live at the Grecian Gardens Restaurant. The fourth clip was recorded by a friend of mine who has a recording studio (Sound Express). 931K WAVLive Excerpt 1. This excerpt features a Greek rhythm called tsiftetelia, which is similar to the middle-eastern maqsoum rhythm. 484K WAVLive Excerpt 2. This is a zebekiko piece; most Greek songs using this rhythm are much slower; the quick tempo on this piece is an exception. 1.01M WAVLive Excerpt 3. This excerpt features the Greek rhythm syrto. 3.35M MP3Trial Run, recorded in studio at Sound Express. I played each of the three tracks on a different drum (ceramic dumbek, aluminum dumbek, and tar). The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there. Robert M. Pirsig