Customer Reviews

Dumbek Fever: Dumbek Instructional Kit

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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).

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.

It was a good concept to have a combination book, DVD and cd. I'm not a huge fan of her technique which is very animated. When you watch the performance video with her and the Arab drummer you can see the difference.

Still there are some nice little rhythm variations for beginners.