Dumbek Fever: Dumbek Instructional Kit [Paperback]

Raquy Danziger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2005

World-renowned dumbek master Raquy Danziger (www.raquy.com) has released a full dumbek instructional kit with a book, CD and DVD!! Step by step instructions of traditional techniques and rhythms to solo or to accompany traditional belly-dance music - only $39.99!!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Raquy Danziger is one of the most popular performers, teachers and composers of Middle Eastern Drumming today. Audiences worldwide are not only surprised by this young woman from America, but captivated by her virtuosity, profound musicality and the passion she brings to performances. Her varied repertoire includes traditional Middle Eastern music as well as her own compositions. The highlight of her career was in March 2005 when Raquy was invited by the most famous drummer in Egypt, Saiid El Artist to perform as a soloist with his troupe. A classically trained pianist, Raquy first discovered hand drumming during her travels in Varanase, India where she immersed herself in the study of Indian rhythmic cycles. Later, in Israel, Raquy was drawn to the dumbek (otherwise known as tabla) and the groove of Middle Eastern music. In the last few years, Raquy has found her own voice as a soloist, group leader and composer. She writes compositions for ensembles comprised of her students as well as master players from the Middle East. She also formed Raquy and the Cavemen, a group in which she also plays the Iranian kemenche, a rare and exotic bowed instrument. Raquy’s infectious enthusiasm for Middle Eastern music has made her one of the most sought after teachers of Middle Eastern drumming in NYC. An inspiration to scores of students locally and hundreds more at drumming camps and retreats around the country, Raquy is single–handedly responsible for the wave of “Dumbek Fever” sweeping the metropolitan area. Her Dumbek Instructional Kit "Dumbek Fever" including a book, a DVD and a CD is coming out in April, 2005. Raquy has made three CD’s, “Jordan” (2005), “Dust” (2003) and “Masmudi” (2001). “Dust” has received nationwide recognition, reaching the top 20 on the CMJ world chart for multiple weeks.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Meef Press (April 2005)
• ISBN-10: 0961342730
• ISBN-13: 978-0961342739
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #189,661 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding way to get started playing the Doumbek!, October 13, 2006

By 

Biffybeans - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dumbek Fever: Dumbek Instructional Kit (Paperback)

If you are looking to learn to play the doumbek, Raquy's "Dumbek Fever" book/CD/DVD combo is a bargain.

If you unfamiliar with this instrument, the doumbek is a Middle Eastern drum called different names in different countries. Called the "Tabla" in Egypt, "Darbuka" in Isreal, "Doumbeki" by others. There are both Egyptian and Turkish style doumbeks. Raquay plays an Egyptian style doumbek and recommends the Alexandra doumbek - which is what I use.

Her combination book/CD/DVD will help you build a strong foundation with the basic Dum/Tek/Ka sounds and their hand positions. (As well as how to properly hold the drum!) Raquy starts off with several modified traditional Middle Eastern rhythms that emphasize the "Dum" (right handed "bass" sound) and the "Tek" (right handed "ringy" tone sound") before moving you along to the elusive "Ka" sound. (left handed "ringy" tone sound")

I really thought that I was playing the "Ka" correctly until I watched the DVD. I wasn't moving my left hand at the proper angle and my "Ka" sound was coming from my fingers hitting the drum head rather than on the rim of the drum/edge of the head as it is supposed to be played. It's kind of a tricky hand movement to explain but Raquy does a great job showing how to do it, and once you "get it" you will know it because the "Ka" will sound exactly like the "Tek" which is played with your right three middle fingers slightly spread apart.

Once the Dum/Tek/Ka have been demonstrated, Raquy moves on to show you how to play and add ornamental sounds such as Pops, Slaps and Rolls to traditional rhythms.

Raquy demonstrates a number of rhythms on the DVD and I really appreciate being able to watch her play. This set would be great without the DVD but it's even better with it!

All of the rhythms and their variations are listed sequentially in the latter half of the book and are noted with the corresponding track number on the CD.

I first discovered Raquy through MySpace and was blown away by the song "Nubian" by her band, Raquy and the Cavemen. I then visited her website, (just Google "Raquy" to find it) and watched the jaw dropping rendition of "Hallas Walla" Go check it out! I'm primarily a djembe player but after watching her perform Hallas Walla I wondered if I was playing the wrong percussion instrument!

Raq on!

PS - My apologies to the lefties of the world. I'm a righty and I indicated the hand positioning for righties.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, September 12, 2006

By 

ReadsManyBooksTakesManyPictures - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dumbek Fever: Dumbek Instructional Kit (Paperback)

Excellent guide from a world-class performer and passionate teacher. The next-best thing to taking a class by her (which you can do in NYC).

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good for percussive training, September 27, 2009

By 

David Leonardi "DL Books" (Western US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dumbek Fever: Dumbek Instructional Kit (Paperback)

There are a good number of rhythms and songs written out in the book and the CD has over 40 tracks. Also there is precussion practice that you can read and listen to on the CD while you play, this is helping me to keep even timing, especially when transitioning from one rhythm to another.

The CD compliments the book nicely and there is a lot of material there. I highly recommend this kit which also has some performances and instruction on the DVD.

It is well worth it because it is like a series of private lessons, without the cost of private lessons.