Middle, Near, Far East
Tar, Bendir

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 MORE...