Timbrel

Timbrel or tabret (the "tof" of the ancient Hebrews, the "deff" of Islam, the "adufe" of the Moors of Spain), the principal musical instrument of percussion of the Israelites, similar to the modern tambourine. The word timbrel is used in the Old Testament in both singular and plural form, so as to suggest that the former referred to a hoop of wood or metal over which was stretched a parchment head; while the plural was perhaps used to designate the tambourine with bells or jangles fixed at intervals in hoops. The Israelites learned to use the timbrel during their sojourn in Egypt, and it has been suggested that as the Egyptians used it to scare away their evil spirit Typhon, the word tof is derived from the latter. The tabret or timbrel was a favorite instrument of the women, and was used with dances, as by Miriam, to accompany songs of victory, or with the harp at banquets and processions; it was one of the instruments used by King David and his musicians when he danced before the Ark of the Covenant. It was also used in the valley of Hinnom at the sacrificial rites.

Europe was introduced to the Timbrel during the crusades. The English adopted the name tambourine for the instrument. A painting from Persia circa 1256, depicts a round, hand-held frame drum with jingles attached around the frame. A 1431-1438 Italian bas-relief sculpture by Luca della Robbia shows the same instrument, the jingles distinctly being metal disks within holes around the frame.

References

*1911
*"The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, Second Edition", edited by Stanley Sadie, John Tyrrell and Laura Macy (2001)
*"Musical Instruments, A Comprehensive Dictionary", by Sibyl Marcuse (1975)
*"The World of Islam, Faith, People and Culture" edited by Bernard Lewis (1976)

External links

* [http://www.khafif.com/rhy/his.html Middle Eastern Drum History]