Daf

Daf
Percussion
Other namesDafli, dap, def, tef, defi, gaval, duf, duff, dof
Classification Directly struck membranophones
Hornbostel–Sachs classification211.311
(Handle-less frame drum with one usable membrane)
Playing range
High sound of jingles, plus some have a skin with a lower sound
Related instruments
Buben, tambourine, kanjira, frame drum, parai

Daf (Persian: دف), also known as dâyere and riq, is an Iranian frame drum musical instrument, also used in popular and classical music in Persian-influenced South and Central Asia, such as in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, many regions of Georgia, Armenia, Pakistan as well as in parts of India[1] and Russian polar regions. It is also popular among Balkans, Caucasians, Bukharan Jews, Kurds, and Macedonians.[2]

Daf is the national musical instrument of Pakistan[3][4] and is also depicted on the reverse and obverse of the Azerbaijani 1 qəpik coin and 1 manat banknote respectively, since 2006.[5][6]

It traditionally has a round wooden frame (although in the modern era it may also be made of metal), jingles, and a thin, translucent head made of fish- or goat-skin (or, more recently, a synthetic material).

The sound is produced by hitting the membrane with either hand – the left hand, which also holds the daf, strikes the edges, and the right hand strikes the center. The right-hand fingers are fastened about their neighbours and suddenly released, like the action of finger-snapping, to produce loud, rapid, sharp sounds.[7]

  1. ^ Sahani, Alaka (11 February 2020). "Who is afraid of the dafli?". Indian Express. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ Tony Langlois (2017). Non-Western Popular Music. Routledge. p. 91. ISBN 978-1351556156.
  3. ^ Ahmed, Shaheen (August 31, 2021). "THE MAGICAL INSTRUMENT". The Victor Magazine.
  4. ^ Mirza, Afshan (2021). "National Musical Instrument of Pakistan and Provincial instruments". Popular in Pakistan.
  5. ^ Central Bank of Azerbaijan. National currency: New generation coins. – Retrieved on 25 February 2010.
  6. ^ National Bank of Azerbaijan Archived 2007-05-16 at the Wayback Machine. National currency: 1 manat[dead link]. – Retrieved on 25 March 2009. (Old site -now a dead link- that mentioned the instrument as a daf).
    Central Bank of Azerbaijan. National currency: 1 manat. – Retrieved on 25 February 2010. (Current site that mentions the instrument as a drum).
  7. ^ "Dayereh". Birseyogren.com. Retrieved 20 April 2021.

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