Daf
403558
225184945
2008-07-12T09:56:20Z
Gb
3598406
Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/Muzzaluva6|Muzzaluva6]] ([[User talk:Muzzaluva6|talk]]) to last version by Narge
{{For|other meanings of '''DAF''' or '''daf''' of '''daff''' or similar|DAF}}
{{Infobox Instrument
|name=Daf
|names=Def, Tef, Defi
|image=Daf-isfahan.jpg
|classification=[[hand percussion]]
|range=High sound of jingles, plus some have a skin with a lower sound.
|related=[[Riq]], Buben, [[Dayereh]], [[Tambourine]], [[Kanjira]], [[Frame drum]] }}
A '''''daf''''' ([[Persian language|Persian]] and [[Arabic language|Arabic]]: '''دف''') is a large-sized [[frame drum]] used to accompany both popular and classical music in [[Iran]], [[Iraq]], [[Syria]], [[Azerbaijan]], [[Kurdistan]], [[GBAO|Kuhistoni Badakhshon]] of [[Tajikistan]] and other countries of the [[Middle East]]. Some ''daf''s are equipped with rings or small cymbals, making them a form of [[tambourine]].
The ''defi'' (sometimes called ''daire'' in other areas) is a fairly large frame drum with metal bangles. It is similar to a tambourine in construction; however, the ''defi'' is made with a metal screw system so that the head can be tightened and tuned. It is popular in many forms all over Greece, especially in the mainland ''[[klarino]]'' music. The ''defi'' is particularly popular in the [[Epiros]] region of northwestern Greece, where they are still handmade today. They have a beautiful low tone, and the bangles are low pitched as well. A virtuoso ''defi'' player can decorate the rhythm of the songs in many exciting ways.
==History==
The earliest evidence of the ''daf'' dates back to [[Sassanid]] Iran. The [[Pahlavi]] (an ancient Iranic language) name of the ''daf'' is ''dap''. The word ''daf'' is therefore the Arabicized form of the word ''dap''. Some pictures of dap have been found in the paintings to be painted before the birth of Christ. The presence of Iranian dap in the reliefs of [[Bisotun]] is enlightening and is hard proof that ''daf''s existed long before the rise of Islam. ''Daf''s were part of religious music in Iran much before [[Sufism]]. In fact, Iranian music has always been a spiritual tool. It shows that ''daf''s played an important role in Mazdean Iran emerging as an important element during the Sassanian times during the [[Kâvusakân]] dynasty. The monuments of Bisotun are situated 25 kilometers from [[Kermanshah]] city. Also there is a kind of square frame drum in the stonecutting of [[Tagh-e-Bostan]] (another famous monument located 5 kilometers northeast of [[Kermanshah]] city). These frame drums were played in the ancient Middle East (chiefly by women in [[Kurdish people|Kurd]] societies), Greece, and Rome and reached medieval Europe through Islamic culture.{{Fact|date=April 2008}}
[[Norouz]] (the first day of the Iranic New Year and the national festival of [[Persian Empire|the Iranic peoples]]) and other festive occasions have been accompanied by dap in [[Sassanid]] periods (224 A.D. - 651 A.D.). In this period the ''dap'' was played in order to accompany Iranian classical music. Undoubtedly ''daps'' were used in the court to be played in the modes and melodies of traditional music. This traditional or classical music was created by Barbod the Great and was named the ''khosravani'' after the King Khosrow (Chosroes). Recent research reveals that these modes were used in the recitation of [[Mazdean]] (Zoroastrian) prayers. The modes were passed down from master to student and are today known as the Radif and Dastgah system. Many of the melodies were lost, but most of those that remain date to the Sassanid period. Dafs can be played to produce highly complex and intense ryhthms, causing one to go under a trance and reach an ecstatic and spiritually-high state. For this reason, they have always been connected with religion in Iran, again, much before Islam.
The [[Moors]] introduced the ''daf'' and other Middle Eastern musical instruments to [[Spain]], and the Spanish adapted and promoted the ''daf'' and other musical instruments (such as the [[guitar]]) in medieval Europe. In the 15th century, the ''daf'' was only used in [[Sufi]] ceremonies; the [[Ottomans]] reintroduced it to Europe in the 17th century.
The art of ''daf'' playing in [[Eastern Kurdistan]] and other parts of [[Iran]] has reached us by the effort of Iranian Sufis; especially in the 20th century by the late Sayyed Baha-al-Din Shams Ghorayshi (1872-1947), Ostad Haj Khalifeh Karim Safvati (1919-…), Ostad Haj Khalifeh Mirza Agha Ghosi (1928-…), Mohi-al-Din Bolbolani (1929-…), Sayyed Mohammad Shams Ghorayshi (1930-…) and Masha-Allah Bakhtiyari (1940-…).
The ''daf'' still functions as an important part of Kurdish and Persian art music (traditional or classical music) as it did in ancient times. It successfully encourages many young Iranians to take up learning this ancient instrument.
A thin band made of hardwood, covered with goatskin on one side. It can also have rings or small cymbals along the rim. In these regions, the daff is held with both hands at shoulder height. Tones of various depth and colours are played by hitting different spots on the skin with the fingers. There is also an Oriental technique of leaning the ''daff'' against the knees. The ''daff'' is a percussion instrument with a soft, deep tone. It is suitable for playing indoors and to accompany singers and players on the tambura, violin, oud, saz and other Oriental instruments.
==[[Dayereh]]==
The ''dayereh'' is an instrument that is used to keep the rhythm of the music.
The membrane is made of goatskin stretched over a wooden ring. Along the edge of the dayereh there are several pairs of loosely attached metal disks, which produce short crisp sounds as the player strikes the dayereh with the wrist and the fingers.
Traditionally, the ''dayereh'' is a female instrument. It is sometimes used on festive occasions.
==References==
*Daf (tambour mystique) par Madjid Khaladj - Anthologie des rythmes iraniens / Buda Musique - CD volume 2
*Nafas/ Infinite Breath : Madjid Khaladj (Daf, Dayereh, Tombak, Zang, Zurkhaneh..) / CD Ba Music Records
==See also==
*[[Tar (drum)]]
*[[Bendir]]
*[[Riq]]
*[[Mazhar]]
*[[Davul]]
*[[Music of Iran]]
*[[Music of Iraq]]
*[[Music of Egypt]]
*[[Music of Azerbaijan]]
*[[Music of Central Asia]]
==External links==
*[http://nay-nava.blogfa.com/post-11.aspx Nay-Nava the Encyclopedia of Persian Music Instruments]
*[http://nasehpour.tripod.com/peyman/id41.html Different Dafs]
*[http://drumdojo.com/world/persia/daf.htm Daf, the Spiritual Frame Drum]
*[http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/FrameDrummer/ Frame Drummer Forum]
*[http://www.caravansary.org Daf, Workshops, Events, Sale]
*www.greekfolkmusicanddance.com/instruments.php
{{Percussion}}
{{Iranian musical instruments}}
{{Turkish musical instruments}}
{{Template:ArabicInstruments}}
[[Category:Arabic musical instruments]]
[[Category:Iranian musical instruments]]
[[Category:Azerbaijani musical instruments]]
[[Category:Kazakhstani folk instruments]]
[[Category:Uzbekistani folk instruments]]
[[Category:Kyrgyz folk instruments]]
[[Category:Dagestanian musical instruments]]
[[Category:Turkmen musical instruments]]
[[Category:Hand drums]]
[[ar:دف]]
[[de:Daf (Musikinstrument)]]
[[es:Adufe]]
[[fa:دف]]
[[fr:Daf (musique)]]
[[gl:Adufe]]
[[ja:ダフ]]
[[pt:Adufe]]
[[ru:Гавал (музыкальный инструмент)]]