Pronounced ("ben-deer"), this drum is made from a round, wooden frame stretched
with different kinds of skin, (usually goat), on one side. The frame drum is probably
one of the most universal instruments in the world. Pictured here is a drum that
has a geographical domain stretching as far north and south as the poles of our
Earth- from Morocco in western North Africa, eastward through Egypt, the Arabian
Peninsula, Iraq, Iran, Mongolia, across the Siberian Peninsula, North America
and Europe. Each culture will refer to this drum with its own name, but the instrument
remains relatively the same with a few variations. Most Arabic music idioms refer
to these drums as "bendirs" and "tars".
The WORLD BEATS video features live,
costumed performances of ancient, ethnic, percussive traditions. Aaron Plunkett
puts it all together in this fascinating 33 minute program. SEE
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