Instruments Starting with D
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From the traditional Dabakan drum from the Philippines to the Dvoyanka pipe from Bulgaria, learn more about the instruments of the world.
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Classification Note:
Chordophones produce sound primarily by the vibration of strings. Idiophone generate sound through the vibration of the instrument’s body itself, without the use of strings, membranes, or external air columns. Membranophones produce sound through the vibration of a stretched membrane. Aerophones create sound by vibrating air within the instrument.
Dabakan
The Dabakan is a goblet-shaped drum from the southern Philippines, traditionally made from wood and covered with animal skin. It is a membranophone played with the hands or sticks, producing rhythmic patterns typical of Filipino Islamic and indigenous music. This drum has been used for centuries, particularly in Maranao and Maguindanao traditional music.
Dadaiko
The Dadaiko is a large barrel drum from Japan, often around two meters in diameter. This membranophone is played with large wooden sticks, producing deep, resonant sounds that are integral to Japanese taiko drumming. The Dadaiko has ancient origins and is used in traditional Japanese festivals and religious ceremonies.
Daf
The Daf is a frame drum found in countries such as Pakistan and regions of the Middle East and North Africa, featuring metal rings or jingles on the inside and a goat-skin covering. It is a membranophone played by striking the drumhead with the hands, adding a jingling effect from the rings. The Daf dates back to ancient times and is commonly used in Sufi music, folk traditions, and religious ceremonies across the region.
Dafri
The Dafri is a very small frame drum from India, often only several centimeters in diameter, with an ornamental frame and a head made from snake skin. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with fingers, producing delicate rhythmic sounds. The Dafri has been used in Indian folk music for centuries, often accompanying devotional songs.
Dagaa gyil
The Dagaa gyil is a long xylophone from Ghana, approximately 1.5 meters long, with seventeen keys and corresponding gourd resonators. This idiophone is played by striking the keys with mallets, producing resonant, melodic tones. The Dagaa gyil has ancient origins and is central to the traditional music of the Dagaaba people in Ghana.
Dagu
The Dagu is a large bass drum from China, available in two types: the huapenggu, shaped like a flowerpot, and the datanggu or ganggu, with a broad base. This membranophone is played with sticks, producing deep, booming sounds used in Chinese traditional and ceremonial music. The Dagu has been part of Chinese culture for centuries.
Daiko
Daiko is a general Japanese term for drums, which includes a variety of sizes and types used in traditional Japanese music. These membranophones are played with sticks, producing rhythmic patterns central to taiko drumming, a practice that dates back to ancient Japan and is used in tradiional Japanese festivals and religious ceremonies.
Daira
The Daira is a frame drum with jingles from Afghanistan, similar to a tambourine. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with the hands, producing rhythmic beats accompanied by jingling sounds. The Daira has been used in Afghan folk music for centuries, particularly in dance and celebration contexts.
Daire
The Daire is a medium-sized tambourine used in Iran, Azerbaijan, the Caucasus, the Balkans, and many Central Asian countries. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with hands while shaking to create rhythmic and jingling sounds. The Daire has been part of these regions’ musical traditions for centuries, commonly used in folk and classical music.
Dalang
The Dalang is a Tibetan mandolin-style instrument from Amdo (northern Tibet), featuring a long neck and pear-shaped body. This chordophone is plucked with fingers, producing melodic tones typical of Tibetan folk music. The Dalang has been used in Tibetan culture for generations, often in rural and nomadic communities.
Daluo
The Daluo is a large metal gong from China, characterized by its deep, resonant sound. This idiophone is played by striking the gong with a mallet, producing a powerful, sustained tone. The Daluo has been used in Chinese ceremonial and ritual music for centuries.
Damian
The Damian is a popular six-string instrument used by nomadic people of Tibetan origin living in Ladakh, closely related to the Tibetan dramyin. This chordophone is plucked with fingers, producing rich, melodic sounds central to Ladakhi and Tibetan folk music. The Damian has been in use for centuries, particularly in spiritual and nomadic traditions.
Damaru
The Damaru is a small Tibetan drum shaped like an hourglass, with two pieces of string attached to small round strikers. This membranophone is played by rapidly turning the drum, causing the strikers to hit the drumheads alternately, producing rhythmic sounds. The Damaru has ancient origins and is commonly used in Tibetan Buddhist rituals and ceremonies.
Damman
The Damman is a set of two kettledrums called fo (male) and mo (female), used in Ladakh, India. These membranophones are played with small sticks called damshing, producing deep, resonant beats that accompany dances and singing. The Damman has been used in Ladakhi culture for centuries, particularly in religious and festive contexts.
Damman-ishkun
The Damman-ishkun is a double-headed bass drum from Iran, known for its deep, resonant tones. This membranophone is played with sticks, producing rhythmic patterns used in Iranian traditional music. The Damman-ishkun has been part of Iranian musical traditions for many generations.
Dan Bau
The Dan Bau is a one-string zither native to Vietnam, featuring a long, narrow wooden body and a resonator. This chordophone is played by plucking the string with a small stick or plectrum, producing melodic, resonant tones that are central to Vietnamese folk music. The Dan Bau has ancient origins and remains a key instrument in Vietnamese traditional music.
Dangubica
The Dangubica, also known as the samica, is a small Croatian and Serbian stringed instrument with two single or double strings. It has a long, fretted neck and a pear-shaped body, with one string playing the melody and the other producing a continuous drone note. This chordophone has been used for centuries in the folk music of shepherds and rural communities in Croatia and Serbia.
Dan mo
Dan mo is a generic name for sets of wood blocks and bamboo rasps used for percussive effects in Vietnam. These idiophones are struck with sticks or rubbed together, producing sharp, rhythmic sounds typical of Vietnamese folk music. The Dan mo has been part of Vietnamese musical traditions for generations.
Dan moi
The Dan moi is a mouth harp of the Hmong people of Vietnam, made from metal or bamboo. This lamellophone is played by placing the instrument against the lips and plucking the flexible tongue, producing resonant, twangy sounds. The Dan moi has been used in Hmong traditional music for many generations, often in spiritual and celebratory contexts.
Dan tam thap luc
The Dan tam thap luc is a 36-string hammered dulcimer from Vietnam, featuring a trapezoidal wooden body. This chordophone is played by striking the strings with small wooden hammers, producing melodic, percussive tones used in Vietnamese classical and folk music. The Dan tam thap luc has been part of Vietnamese musical culture for centuries.
Danpigu
The Danpigu is a single-headed drum from China, characterized by its shallow, circular body. This membranophone is played with sticks, producing sharp, percussive sounds used in Chinese folk and classical music. The Danpigu has been used in Chinese music for many generations.
Dan Trong
The Dan Trong is a small single-headed barrel drum of varying sizes and depths from Vietnam. This membranophone is played with sticks, producing rhythmic patterns that accompany traditional Vietnamese music. The Dan Trong has been part of Vietnamese musical traditions for centuries.
Dan t’rung
The Dan t’rung is a bamboo xylophone from Vietnam, featuring a series of bamboo tubes of varying lengths. This idiophone is played by striking the tubes with mallets, producing resonant, melodic tones central to Vietnamese highland music. The Dan t’rung has ancient origins and is widely used in the traditional music of ethnic minorities in Vietnam.
Daouli
The Daouli is a two-headed goatskin drum from Greece, traditionally used in folk music. This membranophone is played with sticks, producing rhythmic beats that accompany Greek dances and celebrations. The Daouli has been part of Greek musical traditions for centuries, especially in rural areas.
Dap
The Dap is a frame drum with a round mulberry frame covered with python skin on one side, originating from China. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with the hands, producing rhythmic beats used in Chinese folk and classical music. The Dap has been used in Chinese musical culture for many generations.
Darbuka
The Darbuka is a widely used hourglass-shaped drum found across North Africa, Turkey, and the Middle East. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with fingers or hands, producing sharp, resonant tones central to various folk and classical music traditions. The Darbuka has ancient origins and is known by many names across different cultures.
Datonggu
The Datonggu is a large barrel drum from China, traditionally used in Chinese folk music and ceremonies. This membranophone is played with sticks, producing deep, resonant sounds that provide rhythmic accompaniment in traditional ensembles. The Datonggu has been part of Chinese musical traditions for centuries.
Daudytes
The Daudytes are wooden horns from Lithuania, traditionally used in folk music and ceremonies. These aerophones are played by blowing air into the mouthpiece, producing rich, resonant tones. The Daudytes have been part of Lithuanian musical culture for many generations.
Davadyensivka
The Davadyensivka is a wind instrument from Ukraine, also known as a diatonic double sopilka. This aerophone is played by blowing air into the instrument while covering the finger holes to produce melodic tones used in Ukrainian folk music. The Davadyensivka has been part of Ukrainian musical traditions for centuries.
Davuli
The Davuli is a Kosovar Albanian short wooden cylinder drum, covered at each open end with leather stretched with rope. This membranophone is played with two wooden drumsticks, producing rhythmic beats that accompany traditional Kosovar music. The Davuli has been part of Albanian musical culture for generations.
Dawuro
The Dawuro is a double metal struck bell from Ghana, used in traditional Ghanaian music. This idiophone is played by striking the bells with a metal rod, producing clear, resonant tones. The Dawuro has been part of Ghanaian music for centuries, particularly in drumming ensembles.
Dayera
The Dayera is an Iranian and Uzbek frame drum, similar to a tambourine, used in Central Asian and Middle Eastern music. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with the hands while shaking to produce jingling sounds. The Dayera has been part of these regions’ musical traditions for many generations.
Def
The Def is a large frame drum without jingles, used in Turkey, Egypt, Kurdistan, Kosovo, Armenia, Greece, and other countries in the Balkans, Eastern Europe, and the Turkic regions. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with hands, producing deep, resonant beats used in various traditional music genres. The Def has ancient origins and remains a key instrument in folk and religious music.
Demung
The Demung is a metal-keyed melodic instrument used in Javanese Gamelan orchestras in Indonesia. This idiophone is played by striking the keys with a mallet, producing deep, resonant tones that form the melodic foundation of Gamelan music. The Demung has been part of Indonesian musical traditions for centuries.
Devil drum
The Devil drum, also known as vella bumgas in Latvia, is a rural percussion instrument made from a tree branch with a string joining both ends, with jingles or bells hanging from the string. This idiophone is played by striking the string with a small stick, producing rhythmic beats accompanied by jingling sounds. The Devil drum has been part of Latvian folk music for many generations.
Dhad
The Dhad is a small, double-sided, hourglass-shaped drum from the Punjab region, used by Sikh poets. This membranophone is held in one hand and struck with the other, while the hand holding it adjusts the tightening strings to create varying pitches. The Dhad has been used for centuries in Sikh devotional and historical music.
Dhapari
The Dhapari is a percussion instrument from India, made of multiple strips of skin stretched over a circular frame. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with the hands, producing rhythmic beats used in Indian folk music. The Dhapari has been part of Indian musical traditions for generations.
Dhiplopadoura
The Dhiplopadoura is a double reed pipe from Crete, Greece, used in traditional Greek music. This aerophone is played by blowing air into the reeds and covering finger holes to produce melodic tones. The Dhiplopadoura has been part of Cretan musical culture for many generations.
Dhol
The Dhol is a large, double-sided barrel-shaped drum from the Indian and Pakistan Punjab region, in South Asia, and also Armenia. This membranophone is played with two sticks, one thin and one heavy, producing thundering beats that are central to Bhangra dance music and folk music in Armenia. The Dhol has been used for centuries in festive and celebratory contexts.
Dholak
The Dholak is a South Asian double-ended barrel-shaped drum made from a hollowed-out block of wood, traditionally used across the Indian subcontinent. This membranophone is played by striking the drumheads with hands, producing rhythmic beats used in folk and devotional music. The Dholak has been part of Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi musical traditions for centuries.
Dholki
The Dholki is a smaller, longer version of the Dholak, also used in South Asia. This membranophone is played by striking the drumheads with hands, producing higher-pitched rhythmic beats used in folk and celebratory music. The Dholki has been used in the Indian subcontinent for many generations.
Dhul
The Dhul is a double-ended barrel drum from Afghanistan, used in traditional Afghan music. This membranophone is played by striking the drumheads with hands or sticks, producing rhythmic beats that accompany Afghan folk dances and celebrations. The Dhul has been part of Afghan musical culture for centuries.
Dhungchen
The Dhungchen is a long copper horn played by Tibetan monks in Buddhist rites, typically over 2 meters long. This aerophone is played by blowing into the mouthpiece, producing deep, resonant drone sounds used in Tibetan ceremonial music. The Dhungchen has been used in Tibetan Buddhist rituals for centuries.
Dhut
The Dhut is a large Javanese drum from Indonesia, used in traditional Gamelan orchestras. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with hands or sticks, producing rhythmic beats that provide the foundation for Gamelan music. The Dhut has been part of Indonesian musical traditions for centuries.
Di
The Di is a traditional Chinese transverse bamboo flute, one of the most widespread wind instruments in China. This aerophone is played by blowing air across the mouthpiece and covering finger holes to produce melodic tones. The Di has been used in Chinese music since the Song Dynasty (960-1127 A.D.) and remains central to Chinese classical and folk music.
Didjeribone
The Didjeribone is a tuned didjeridu made out of plastic with a rubber mouthpiece, invented by Charlie McMahon. This aerophone is played by blowing air into the mouthpiece while using circular breathing, producing a range of pitches. The Didjeribone is a modern adaptation of the traditional Aboriginal didjeridu, used in contemporary music genres.
Didjeridu
The Didjeridu is an end-blown, straight, natural wind instrument made from a termite-hollowed eucalyptus branch, originating from Northern Australia. This aerophone is played with a special technique called circular breathing, producing a continuous drone sound used in Aboriginal ceremonial and healing music. The Didjeridu has ancient origins and is one of the oldest wind instruments in the world.
Dihn Pa
The Dihn Pa is a traditional instrument from the highlands of Vietnam, made from varying lengths of bamboo pipes fastened together in two rows and stood upright. This idiophone is played by striking the top ends of the pipes with a padded stick, producing resonant, melodic tones. The Dihn Pa has been part of Vietnamese highland music for centuries, particularly in ethnic minority communities.
Dihu
The Dihu is a low-pitched bowed lute from China, part of the huqin family. This chordophone is played with a bow, producing deep, resonant tones used in Chinese classical and folk music. The Dihu has been used in Chinese musical traditions for many centuries.
Dilruba
The Dilruba is a bowed instrument from India, with 4 metal strings and 24 sympathetic strings, featuring frets and a bridge running over a goatskin. This chordophone is played with a bow, producing rich, melodic tones used in Indian classical and devotional music. The Dilruba has been part of Indian musical culture for centuries.
Diple
The Diple is a reed instrument similar to a bagpipe but without a drone, originating from Croatia. This aerophone is played by blowing into the reed to produce melodic tones, often used in Croatian folk music. The Diple has been part of Croatian musical traditions for many generations.
Diplica
The Diplica is a Croatian wind instrument, resembling a small double-reed pipe. This aerophone is played by blowing air into the reed and covering finger holes to produce melodic tunes used in Croatian folk music. The Diplica has been part of Croatian culture for centuries, particularly in rural and pastoral music.
Divan
The Divan is the largest member of the saz family, measuring about 140 cm long, and originating from Turkey. This chordophone is played by plucking the strings with a plectrum, producing deep, resonant tones used in Turkish classical and folk music. The Divan has been part of Turkish musical traditions for centuries.
Dizi
The Dizi is a transverse bamboo flute of the Han Chinese, featuring six open holes and a unique membrane that adds a buzzing quality to the sound. This aerophone is played by blowing air across the mouthpiece and covering the finger holes to produce melodic tones. The Dizi has been used in Chinese music since ancient times and remains a central instrument in Chinese classical and folk traditions.
Djabara
The Djabara are West African shakers made from a hollow gourd, with a loose net containing beads, grains, or shells. This idiophone is played by shaking, producing rhythmic, percussive sounds typical of West African traditional music. The Djabara has been used in West African music for centuries, particularly in drumming ensembles.
Djegok
The Djegok is a xylophone used in the Gamelan orchestras of Bali, Indonesia, featuring metal keys struck with mallets. This idiophone is played by striking the keys to produce melodic, resonant tones central to Balinese Gamelan music. The Djegok has been part of Indonesian musical traditions for centuries.
Djembe
The Djembe is a goblet-shaped drum from West Africa, typically made from a single piece of wood with a goat-skin drumhead. This membranophone is played with bare hands, producing a wide range of tones used in traditional West African music and dance. The Djembe has been a key instrument in West African culture for centuries.
Dobe
The Dobe are kettledrums from Romania, traditionally used in Romanian folk music. These membranophones are played with sticks, producing deep, resonant beats that accompany traditional Romanian dances and celebrations. The Dobe has been part of Romanian musical traditions for many generations.
Dobro
The Dobro is a slide guitar with one or more metal resonator discs mounted inside the body, originally from the Czech Republic. This chordophone is played with a slide and picks, producing bright, resonant tones used in American country and bluegrass music. The Dobro became popular in the early 20th century and remains a staple in these music genres.
Doedelzak
The Doedelzak is a bagpipe from Flanders, Belgium, traditionally used in Flemish folk music. This aerophone is played by blowing air into the bag and squeezing it to produce sound through the chanter and drones. The Doedelzak has been part of Belgian musical traditions for centuries, particularly in rural and pastoral settings.
Dohol
The Dohol is an Armenian percussion instrument, similar to a large barrel drum. This membranophone is played with sticks, producing deep, resonant beats that accompany Armenian folk music and dances. The Dohol has been used in Armenian culture for centuries.
Dohollah
The Dohollah is an Egyptian tabla or darbuka made from brass, used in traditional Middle Eastern music. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with fingers or hands, producing sharp, resonant tones typical of Arabic music. The Dohollah has been part of Egyptian and Middle Eastern musical traditions for centuries.
Doira
The Doira is a Tajik frame drum, similar to a tambourine, used in Central Asian music. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with the hands while shaking to produce rhythmic and jingling sounds. The Doira has been part of Tajik and Central Asian musical traditions for many generations.
Dolçaina
The Dolçaina is a traditional reed instrument made from wood, about 70 cm long, commonly found in the Valencia region of Spain. This aerophone is played by blowing air into the reed and covering finger holes to produce melodic tones typical of Valencian folk music. The Dolçaina has been part of Spanish musical culture for centuries, with variations found across different regions of Spain.
Doli
The Doli is a double-headed cylindrical drum from Georgia, used in traditional Georgian music. This membranophone is played with hands or sticks, producing rhythmic beats that accompany Georgian dances and songs. The Doli has been part of Georgian musical traditions for many generations.
Domra
The Domra is a three-stringed mandolin from Russia, featuring a round body and a short neck. This chordophone is played by plucking the strings with a plectrum, producing bright, melodic tones used in Russian folk and classical music. The Domra has been part of Russian musical culture for centuries, particularly in ensemble and solo performances.
Dombak
The Dombak, also known as the tonbak, is an Iranian hourglass drum, used in Persian classical music. This membranophone is played with fingers and hands, producing sharp, rhythmic tones typical of traditional Iranian music. The Dombak has been part of Iranian musical traditions for centuries.
Dombra
The Dombra is a traditional long-necked lute from Central Asia, found throughout Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, as well as among Kazakhs living in China. This chordophone is played by plucking the strings with fingers, producing bright, melodic tones used in Central Asian folk music. The Dombra has been part of nomadic cultures in Central Asia for centuries.
Dondon
The Dondon is a talking drum from Ghana, also known as the dun-dun, featuring an hourglass shape and variable pitch. This membranophone is played with a curved stick while squeezing the drum’s strings to change the pitch, producing a range of tones used in West African music. The Dondon has been part of Ghanaian musical traditions for centuries, particularly among the Dagomba people.
Dondondo
The Dondondo is a Ghanaian thumb bell, used in traditional Ghanaian music. This idiophone is played by striking the bell with a thumb, producing clear, resonant tones. The Dondondo has been part of Ghanaian musical culture for many generations.
Donno
The Donno is an hourglass-shaped talking drum from Ghana, popular with the Dagomba people. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with a stick while squeezing the drum’s strings to change the pitch, producing a range of tones used in traditional Ghanaian music. The Donno has been a central instrument in West African culture for centuries.
Dora
The Dora is a small gong with a deep lip and pronounced center, originating from Mongolia. This idiophone is played by striking the gong with a mallet, producing a clear, resonant tone used in Mongolian folk and religious music. The Dora has been part of Mongolian culture for many generations.
Doshpuluur
The Doshpuluur is a Tuvan two or three-string banjo-like plucked instrument, originating from the Russian Federation. This chordophone is played by plucking the strings with fingers, producing melodic tones used in Tuvan folk music. The Doshpuluur has been part of Tuvan musical traditions for centuries, particularly in throat singing and pastoral music.
Doso
The Doso is a double pit wooden xylophone from Benin, featuring large beams measuring up to 1.8 meters, with the resonator being a pit dug into the ground. This idiophone is played by striking the keys with mallets, producing deep, resonant tones used in traditional Beninese music. The Doso has been part of West African musical traditions for centuries.
Dotar
The Dotar is a two-stringed lute found in India, Central Asia, and the Middle East, with a long neck and a resonant body. This chordophone is played by plucking the strings with fingers, producing melodic tones used in classical and folk music across these regions. The Dotar has been part of these cultures for centuries and was recently inscribed in UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Doyra
The Doyra is a roughly 2000-year-old frame drum originally played by women in Uzbekistan, featuring a single piece of wood with a cow skin face and 64 rings attached to the frame. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with hands, producing deep drum tones accompanied by a cymbal-like effect from the rings. The Doyra has been part of Uzbek musical culture for millennia and remains a key instrument in traditional music.
Dranyen
The Dranyen is a Tibetan folk lute from U-Tsang (western Tibet), featuring a long neck and a resonant body. This chordophone is played by plucking the strings with fingers, producing melodic tones used in Tibetan folk and religious music. The Dranyen has been part of Tibetan culture for centuries, often used in storytelling and spiritual contexts.
Drilbu
The Drilbu is a Tibetan hand bell used by monks in Buddhist rites, typically made of bronze or brass. This idiophone is played by striking or shaking the bell, producing a clear, resonant tone that accompanies Tibetan chants and prayers. The Drilbu has been part of Tibetan Buddhist rituals for centuries.
Drehleier
The Drehleier, also known as the German hurdy-gurdy, is a stringed instrument played by turning a crank, which rotates a wheel rubbing against the strings. This chordophone is used in German folk and classical music, producing a continuous, drone-like sound. The Drehleier has been part of European musical traditions for centuries.
Drum
A Drum is a percussive device that yields sound when struck repetitively, either by hands or other implements. This membranophone has been used in nearly every culture around the world, with origins tracing back to ancient times. Drums are central to many music genres, from traditional and folk music to modern genres like rock and jazz.
Duasi
The Duasi is a drum from Mozambique, used in traditional Mozambican music. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with hands or sticks, producing rhythmic beats that accompany dances and celebrations. The Duasi has been part of Mozambican musical culture for many generations.
Duda
The Duda is a bagpipe from Hungary and Latvia, traditionally used in Central European and Baltic folk music. This aerophone is played by blowing air into the bag and squeezing it to produce sound through the chanter and drones. The Duda has been part of Hungarian and Latvian musical traditions for centuries.
Dude
The Dude is an ancient Croatian bagpipe, traditionally used in Croatian folk music. This aerophone is played by blowing air into the bag and squeezing it to produce sound through the chanter and drones. The Dude has been part of Croatian musical traditions for many generations, particularly in rural areas.
Dudelsack
The Dudelsack is a German bagpipe, traditionally used in German folk music. This aerophone is played by blowing air into the bag and squeezing it to produce sound through the chanter and drones. The Dudelsack has been part of German musical traditions for centuries, particularly in pastoral and celebratory music.
Duduk
The Duduk is an Armenian oboe dating back to Armenia’s pre-Christian times, made of apricot wood and capable of sustaining drone notes for long periods of time. This aerophone is played by blowing into the reed and covering finger holes to produce a warm, soft, slightly nasal sound used in Armenian folk songs and dance music. The Duduk has been part of Armenian culture for over a thousand years and is also found in variations in Bulgaria and Serbia.
Duduki
The Duduki is a Georgian short cylindrical oboe, closely related to the Armenian duduk. This aerophone is played by blowing into the reed and covering finger holes to produce melodic tones used in Georgian folk music. The Duduki has been part of Georgian musical traditions for centuries.
Dudumba
The Dudumba is a large drum that produces the base beat in Guinean music. This membranophone is played with sticks, producing deep, resonant beats that accompany traditional Guinean music and dance. The Dudumba has been part of Guinean musical culture for many generations.
Dudy
The Dudy is a Czech bagpipe, traditionally used in Czech folk music. This aerophone is played by blowing air into the bag and squeezing it to produce sound through the chanter and drones. The Dudy has been part of Czech musical traditions for centuries, particularly in rural and pastoral music.
Duff
The Duff is a Nubian frame drum, traditionally used in Nubian and Egyptian music. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with hands, producing rhythmic beats that accompany dances and celebrations. The Duff has been part of Nubian and Egyptian musical traditions for centuries.
Dufli
The Dufli, also known as dafli or daf, is an Indian tambourine used in weddings and other celebrations. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with hands, producing rhythmic beats accompanied by jingling sounds. The Dufli has been part of Indian musical traditions for generations.
Dugg
The Dugg is a small kettledrum worn around the waist by Baul performers in Bangladesh and India during the singing of philosophical and devotional songs. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with hands, producing rhythmic beats that accompany Baul music. The Dugg has been part of Bengali musical traditions for centuries.
Dukka
The Dukka is a pair of Indian drums similar to tabla, used in Indian classical and folk music. These membranophones are played by striking the drumheads with fingers and palms, producing rhythmic patterns that accompany traditional Indian music. The Dukka has been part of Indian musical traditions for many generations.
Dulcimer
The Dulcimer is a general term for musical instruments of the box zither type, found in various cultures around the world. These chordophones are played by striking or plucking the strings, producing melodic, resonant tones used in folk and classical music. The Dulcimer has been part of global musical traditions for centuries, with variations found in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Dulzaina
The Dulzaina is a Spanish traditional reed instrument made from wood, about 70 cm long, also known as chirimía, dolsaina, and gralla in various regions of Spain. This aerophone is played by blowing air into the reed and covering finger holes to produce melodic tones used in Spanish folk music. The Dulzaina has been part of Spanish musical traditions for centuries, particularly in rural and festive contexts.
Dumbak
The Dumbak is a Malaysian drum made from a hollowed-out log and covered at one end with the skin of a monitor lizard. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with hands, producing rhythmic beats used in Malaysian traditional music. The Dumbak has been part of Malaysian musical culture for generations.
Dumbek
The Dumbek is a single-skinned lap drum, also known as the doumbek, common in Middle Eastern music. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with fingers or hands, producing deep thump (dum) and tight snap (bek) sounds. The Dumbek has been used in Middle Eastern musical traditions for centuries.
Dumbéleki
The Dumbéleki is a Greek drum, traditionally used in Greek folk music. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with hands, producing rhythmic beats that accompany Greek dances and celebrations. The Dumbéleki has been part of Greek musical traditions for many generations.
Dumbra
The Dumbra is a lute of the Tartar people, traditionally used in Tartar folk music. This chordophone is played by plucking the strings with fingers, producing melodic tones typical of Tartar music. The Dumbra has been part of Tartar musical culture for centuries.
Dundun
The Dundun is an hourglass-shaped talking drum from Nigeria, known for its variable pitch. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with a stick while squeezing the drum’s strings to change the pitch, producing a range of tones used in West African music. The Dundun has been part of Nigerian musical traditions for centuries.
Dungchen
The Dungchen is a very long bass trumpet used by Tibetan monks in Buddhist rites, typically measuring over 2 meters (12 feet) long. This aerophone is played by blowing into the mouthpiece, producing deep, resonant drone sounds used in Tibetan ceremonial music. The Dungchen has been part of Tibetan Buddhist rituals for centuries.
Dungur
The Dungur is a large Tuvan shaman’s drum or tambourine, used in traditional Tuvan music and rituals. This membranophone is played by striking the drumhead with hands, producing rhythmic beats that accompany Tuvan throat singing and shamanic ceremonies. The Dungur has been part of Tuvan culture for centuries.
Dunun
The Dunun is a double-sided cow or goat-skinned cylindrical barrel drum, slung horizontally over the shoulder and hit with a curved stick, used in West African music. This membranophone comes in three sizes: the kenkeni, the sangban, and the big dununba, each producing different pitches. The Dunun has been part of West African musical traditions for centuries, particularly in drumming ensembles.
Dununba
The Dununba is the largest of the Dunun drums, producing the lowest pitch in West African drumming ensembles. This membranophone is played with a curved stick, producing deep, resonant beats that form the rhythmic foundation in traditional West African music. The Dununba has been part of West African culture for centuries.
Dutar
The Dutar is a 14-stringed plucked lute with a long neck, used in Turkmenistan, Iran, and Afghanistan’s Herat region. This chordophone is played by plucking the strings with fingers, producing melodic tones used in classical and folk music. The Dutar has been part of Central Asian and Middle Eastern musical traditions for centuries.
Dvojnice
The Dvojnice is a double flute from Croatia, traditionally used in Croatian folk music. This aerophone is played by blowing into both tubes simultaneously, producing harmonized melodies typical of Croatian rural music. The Dvojnice has been part of Croatian musical traditions for many generations.
Dvorgrle
The Dvorgrle is a double pipe flute with seven holes, originating from the Balkans. This aerophone is played by blowing into the mouthpiece while covering the finger holes to produce melodic tones used in Balkan folk music. The Dvorgrle has been part of Balkan musical culture for centuries.
Dvoyanka
The Dvoyanka is a double pipe from Bulgaria, with a length ranging from 30 to 40 cm. This aerophone is played by blowing into the mouthpiece and covering the finger holes to produce melodic tones used in Bulgarian folk music. The Dvoyanka has been part of Bulgarian musical traditions for centuries.
