Bulgaria/Music/Instruments Pg 5
Tarambuke
The tarambuke is an instrument with a single vibrating body that belongs to the family of membranophones. Musicians obtain sounds from it by hitting it with both their palms and fingers.
The tarambuke is made of a long narrow earthenware cask shaped like a bottomless vase. A skin is stretched taut over its largest opening while the smaller opening is left open. The musician holds the instrument under the left arm or between the knees. The left hand rests on the hoop that attaches the skin head leaving the four fingers free to produce light quick compound rhythms. The palm and fingers of the right hand emphasize the basic rhythm.
The tone of the tarambuke is soft, light, tender and very unique. It is an accompanying instrument that goes well with other traditional instruments like the zourna (a kind of shawm), the caval (end-blown flute) and the tanbura (lute) as well as voices. It can be found over a wide area especially in the Pirin Mountains. The instrument originated in the Middle East.
© Gans 2011