Middle East
Darabukkah
A member of the percussion family. Much like the Udu of Africa, this drum is made with a clay body. In Middle Eastern music the Darabukkah forms the rhythmic center.
Mizmar
A member of the winds family. Another double reed instrument, the Mizmar is most often played in duos or trios and is mostly used for traditional Egyptian weddings as well as accompaniament for belly dancers.
Ney
A member of the winds family. An open-ended flute made of reed or bamboo. Through the use of "over blowing" the expert musician can achieve a range of three "octaves" (the distance between eight consecutive notes).
Qanun
A member of the strings family. Similar to the Psaltery, this is essentially a lap sized harp, although it contains seventy-eight strings (much more than the Psaltery).
Rebaba
A member of the strings family. A one, two, or three stringed instrument similar to the Huqin.
Sagat
A member of the percussion family. Also known as "Finger Cymbals", the Sagat are most widely known as the instruments that belly dancers use during their performences.
Tambourine
A member of the percussion family. A wooden or plastic frame in which metal shingles have been set, the Tambourine is one of the oldest and most commonly used percussion instruments throughout the world.
