is applied to more than one type of drum, such that what is known by one
name in one place, may be called something entirely different elsewhere.
These, therefore, are only some of the most common descriptions:
Tar - A large wooden frame drum, common throughout the Middle East. Sometimes a type of tambourine.
Riqq - A tambourine with a head (skin).
Deff - A smaller frame drum, often played with slaps by the hand.
Indian Deff - A frame drum with bells attached on the inside rim, used in India.
Muzhar - A large tambourine, with large zils (cymbals).
Doumbek - A goblet-shaped drum, played with the fingers
Bendir - A frame drum popular in Morocco, with a snare (string) stretched across the inside, so that when the skin is struck, it produces a buzzing sound.
Zarb - Also known as the Tonbak, a wooden, cylindrical drum that is the principal percussion instrument of Iran. It is played delicately with the fingers, often with dazzling results from master players.
Daf - Another Iranian drum, this is a frame drum with links of chain hanging on the back, so that when struck, it produces a scraping or jingling sound.
Doira - Used in Turkey and Azerbaijan, it is a frame drum with rings set all around the rim, producing a jingling sound when played.
Naqqarat - Clay "bongos" from Morocco. Usually a larger and small drum tied together. The sound is thus low and high, providing contrast.
Pandeiro - A square shaped drum used in medieval and traditional Spanish music, derived from the Moroccan story-teller's drum. It is double-sided (skins on both sides), and inside, a bell often hangs on a string, producing when struck a deep drum tone and a light zil-like tone.
Tamboura - Related to the Pandeiro, the Moroccan story-teller's drum. It can be square or triangular on shape, and was popular with the Jewish musicians of medieval Spain.
Davul - Also known as the tabla baladi or tupan, this is a large bass drum worn over the shoulder with a strap and played with two sticks. Especially popular in Turkey and the Balkans.
Hylsung - A rectangular Anglo-Saxon drum made entirely of wood. A box with holes on one side.