by Yinon Muallem

Percussion Arabic
Y inon Muallem, musician and educator of Arabic percussion, recorded
and appeared in concerts around the world. Amongst the artists he
collaborated with are Ross Daly (Greece), vocalist Alim Gasimov (Azerbaijan),
the Israeli Andalusain Orchestra, Yair Dalal, Eyal Sela & Ensemble Darma
and various other leading musicians.
O n this unique and personal instructive video, I teach 5 different Arab percussion
instruments: Darbuka (also known as Doumbek), Riqq, Mazhar, Duff and Zils,
with a greater focus on the Darbuka and the Riqq.
I begin with the basics, and continue with the teaching of popular rhythms, so
that even people with no previous experience in music whatsoever, can become
proficient on these drums.
The DVS is easy to follow, and the instructions are very clear.
A s t h e l e s s o n p ro g re s s , y o u w i l l l e a r n 9 d i ff e re n t r h y t h m s !
The concluding segment of the video includes a review of all the rhythms, in
the order in which they were taught. It will allow you to practice, and even
improvise, on your own.
Have fun playing Arabic percussion i n s t r u m e n t s !
Level: B e g i n n e r t o P r o
Running Time: 7 4 M i n u t e s
Director: E l i Ta r a g a n
Marketing & Consulting: N i v a N a v o n Featuring:
Camera: I d o B e r l a d M i c h a e l M a r u n : Oud
Scene Decorator: H e f i B o h e m The Percussion Ensamble
Script Girl: N o a m B o h e m of Bar Ilan University
Edited in: S c a l a S t u d i o s E d i A b u R a m a n a : Darbuka, Duff
Editors: E l i H e m o & R u b y C o h e n B o a z S h a h a k : Riq, Mazhar
Photos: R a n P l o t n i z k y N o a Va x : Dahola
Graphic Design: 2 d e s i g n E l i a n a G i l a d : Zils

2design
website: www.yinon-muallem.com
e-mail: yinonmuallem@hotmail.com
 Arabic Percussion
by Yinon Muallem

Producer: Y i n o n M u a l l e m
Director: E l i Ta r a g a n

Booklet Music Type Setting: P h i l i p G r i f f i n

WARNING
This Book and/or the accompanying video program may not be reproduced in whole or in part,
by any means whatsoever, without written permission from the Producer.
© 2 0 0 1 All Rights Reserved to Yinon Muallem
Drums are amongst the oldest musical instruments known to mankind.
Our prehistoric ancestors made an extensive use of them. Drums are
mentioned in the Old Testament, and archeological findings testify to their
existence about 4000 years ago, in Mesopotamia and Egypt.
I think it is of great importance, to become acquainted with a drum in Dum Tak Slap Closed Tak
the context of its tradition, for a better understanding of its rhythms
The drum was used in many ancient ceremonies and religious rituals. 432
and cultural heritage. With that thought in mind, one can create
Soldiers marched into battle to the sound and rhythm of the drum, often
individual techniques and rhythms, based on his or her individual
using powerful booming sounds to scare the enemy.
capacity and imagination.
fingers 4,3,2 before Tak
Early explorers in Africa were surprised to discover that chieftains and their
While playing drums, we portray our emotions, whether love, joy, anger
tribes were already expecting them, having used "drum talk". People in R = Right Hand
or happiness. We create our own music, individually or as a group,
many parts of the world used drums to send messages to signal various L = Left Hand
through our personal creativity, experience and our musical and
events. On a quiet night in the jungle, a drum can be heard for almost 15
cultural heritage.
km (more than 9 miles).
This video aims to open a window to the tremendous world of Arabic
The sound of the drum is natural, primitive and dynamic, making it easy to
percussion instruments, and to allow a better understanding of them.
identify and relate to its rhythms. Playing drums seems easier than playing
other instruments, such as piano or violin, but do not be misled. It takes a
lot of hard work and practice to achieve proficiency, especially on Arabic
percussion instruments, such as the Darbuka (AKA Doumbek), Riqq, the
Indian Tabla and the Persian Zarb.
Introduction
Daily practice of rudimentary exercises, as casual as they may seem, is
a must for someone who wishes to master the drum. It is important to acquire
and work on the technique of holding the drum, hand and finger positions.
Such practice will allow developing one’s own individual rhythms, and
dexterity and the traditional

I hope you enjoy this video, and that it will inspire your creativity,
and become a fulfilling educational experinece.
im a
imagination
rhythms

eventually discovering the full potential of the drum.

Dum-Tak Fallahi

Tak-Tak

Tak- F a l l a h i
Masmoudi Cabir

Masmoudi Sarir

Masmoudi Cabir
Masmoudi Srir
Masmoudi Cabir
 malfuf
Slap exercises malfuf

Saidi
Maqsoum Devri Hindi
 Yuruk Aksak Samai Thakil
m u s i c

Samai
Aksak Samai (Turkish Style)
v o c a l

At the end of the video, you will come across a segment where Yinon
is accompanied by the Oud player Michael Marun. This piece is a
mwasha (song), called "Lam'ma Bada."
(song)
This genre of vocal music was developed in the 9th century in Andaluse,
and was popular in North Africa and the Middle East.

The original melody of this mwasha was written by Sheik Abed El Rachim
El Maslub, in the Arabic minor scale along with 10/8 rhythm, known as ‘Samai’.