Instruments used in Taarab Music

Taarab is the most common type of music in the Swahili people. The instruments used to make it include;

Egyptian qanun- a 72-string zither which lies flat and is plucked like a harp

Drums-it is a hollow piece of wood covered with animal skin and is played with bare hands. In a Taarab performance, one or many of these drums can be used. Also, the sizes may vary.

Violins-these are stringed instruments that produce a treble pitch. They are played using a horsehair bow. African violins have between 3 to 5 strings and take the characteristic rounded shape.

Claves- a pair of short wooden sticks that are struck together to produce a clicking sound. Can be hollow or carved to amplify the sound produced.

Maracas- also called rumba shakers. They are hollow balls filled with seeds that are held by their handle and shaken to produce the desired sounds.

Guitar-it is a stringed musical instrument that is pluck or strung to produce desired tunes.

Tambourine-it is amusical instrument made up of a shallow drum having small metal disks in slots around its edge. It is played by beig shaken or hit with the hand.

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