“Hey, Mr. Tamboruine Man, play a song for me. I’m not sleepy and there is no place I’m going to.” Bob Dylan

How often do we see tambourines used in belly dancing? Perhaps not often enough. These versatile instruments have a prominent place in the traditions of our dance and music. The word tambourine originates in the Middle Persian word tambur meaning “lute or drum”.

Artist is Charles Sprague Pearce (1851–1914). Photographed 2007 by Carol Highsmith (1946–)

An instrument of the percussion family, the tambourine consists of a wood or plastic frame with pairs of small metal jingles inserted in the sides, which are called “zils”. Classically, the term “tambourine” denotes an instrument with a drumhead but we see some without heads too. Mostly circular, the tambourine comes in many shapes and is played in many forms of music–Italian folk, classical, Roma, Persian and Middle Eastern, gospel, pop and rock music, not to mention some exercise classes. The tambourine can be held in the hand or mounted on a stand, and is played in numerous ways, from stroking or shaking the jingles to striking it sharply with hand or stick, or using the tambourine to strike the leg or hip. A less common way to play a tambourine is with the feet. Used all over the world as rhythmic accompaniment, the tambourine can be many different sizes. Here are descriptions of tambourines used in many countries around the world:

The pandiero is the Brazilian tambourine, typically used in traditional Brazilian music such as samba, choro and capoeira. Tension on the head can be adjusted on the pandiero, and the metal jingles produce a crisper, more staccato sound. The pandiero’s sounds are made by striking one hand near the frame or center of the head with the thumb, fingertips, heel or palm of the hand. The accompanying hand holds the instrument while providing a muting finger from underneath, and can also produce notes while shaking the frame. The quick rhythms produced by alternating strikes from both hands can sound as though many instruments are being played simultaneously—a melodic drum, a deeper drum, jingles and a slap drum.

Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Daf-isfahan.jpg

The Basque pandero is a folk instrument often played along with the accordion. Basque people have been known to dance to the rhythm of the bare pandero with no other musical instrument accompaniment but the player’s (a woman’s) voice.

The riq (riqq or rik) is a type of tambourine used as a traditional instrument in Arabic music. It is important both in folk and classical music throughout the Arabic-speaking world. Often intricately decorated with Mother of Pearl patterns on the sides, this version is a real work of art.

Buben is one of the common names for the tambourine used in many countries since time immemorial, especially in the East—def, daf or qaval (Azerbaijan), daf or khabal (Armenia), daira (Georgia), doira (Uzbekistan and Tajikistan), daire or def (Iran), bendeir (Arab countries), pandero (Spain). Consisting of a wooden or metal hoop with a tight membrane stretched over one of its sides (or no membrane at all), certain kinds of bubens are equipped with clanking metal rings, plates, cymbals or little bells.

The kanjira or ganjira is a South Indian frame drum of the tambourine family.

* * *
Woman with Tambourine by Picasso, by Joyce White (www.authorsden.com)

I catch the glimpse and gleam of Picasso…in my mirror,
he invaded my soul by accident, both of us somewhat
like stubborn toddlers sitting in a highchair,
waiting to be fed life, a little excited, a little anxious,
and somewhere inside my chest, I knew both of us traveled
with misery and fear of disease, our faces wet with sweat
and tears, our egos plump, moving from one hateful
place to another, our hands cutting the air into
magic masks we hide behind, both craving and loathing
the pain of love.
* * *

In the belly dancing world, tambourines can serve many purposes, and accessorize many genres of dance expression—folkloric, ATS, gypsy, ethnic and even cabaret. They can be very expensive or really cheap. Especially appreciated by ladies who have not developed their “zills skills” on finger cymbals, a tambourine can provide rhythmic accompaniment in simple or complex ways, on the sidelines or as part of a dance. Some might even want to learn how to play with their feet! Tambourines make an interesting balancing prop for more variety of expression. Another good thing about tambourines is they can be used as a container in which to collect tips at the end of the show.

“She’s the only sylph I ever saw who could stand upon one leg and play the tambourine on her other knee, like a sylph.” Charles Dickens (A sylph is an invisible being of the air.)

“Shimmy from the Heart!” Contact: jherico@cox.net with comments or questions.