Art of Music
( 2005-09-13 )

4. Percussion instruments

Dap

-- A frame drum, of which two types are current. The smaller n?ghm? d?pi, at around 25-30 cm in diameter, is a virtually indispensable instrument for the Muqam, playing a leading role in the instrumental sections (m?rghul). The larger chong dap is used in other folk contexts, it may be used to accompany other instruments or may be played solo. The third and largest type, thought to have magic powers, is used in the healing rituals of the Uygur shamans.

Naghra

-- Always played with the sunay, these are a pair of cast iron small kettledrums covered with cow or donkey skin laced over the body, played with a pair of sticks. The naghra-sunay group usually consists of one sunay player, with at least two and up to 11 sets of naghra which play complex rhythmic variations, with a large chong naghra maintaining the basic rhythmic cycle.

Sapayi

-- A folk instrument of the Uygur nationality, the sapayi has two iron rings attached to a 0.5-metre-long oval wooden stick covered on one end with tin. The dancer holds the stick in his right hand and strikes the tin end against his right shoulder or waves it back and forth so the iron rings produce a wonderful sound.

Other percussion instruments include the sapay? - paired sticks pierced with metal rings, the most common folk percussion instrument, especially used by beggars and Sufis; the tash -- four stones, two held in each hand, struck repeatedly and quickly together, and the qoshuq -- two wooden spoons struck together back-to-back.

In addition to these contemporary instruments, instruments historically used by the Uygurs include the ghunqa -- a form of harp, the b?rbap lute -- ancestor of the Chinesepipa, the jalla -- a bronze skin-covered tambourine, the sapal chora ocarina, and the isqirt slide flute.