Acoustic Characteristics and Sound Production Mechanisms of the Uzbek Doira

Introduction

Front view of the Doira

The Doira is a traditional Uzbek frame drum, revered for its unique place in Central Asian musical traditions. Originating from Uzbekistan, this percussion instrument is characterized by a circular wooden frame and a membrane typically made from animal skin, stretched tightly to produce sound. Distinctively, the Doira is embellished with metal rings or zills, which create a characteristic jingling sound when the drum is played. This feature not only differentiates the Doira from other frame drums but also enriches its acoustic profile, offering a wide array of sounds depending on the playing techniques employed. The instrument's historical roots run deep in the region's cultural fabric, serving as a versatile accompaniment in various social and ceremonial contexts, embodying the rich heritage and musical diversity of Central Asia.

The Doira's acoustic properties and sound production mechanisms are intricately linked to its construction and the playing methods adopted by musicians. Whether struck, shaken, or manipulated in other ways, each technique unveils a different facet of the Doira's sonic identity, from deep resonant tones to bright, shimmering jingles. This project aims to explore these characteristics in-depth, providing a comprehensive analysis of how the Doira's physical attributes and the artist's interaction with the instrument combine to create its captivating sound.

Background Research

Historical Context and Significance

Traditional performance with the Doira

The Doira, a medium-sized frame drum with jingles, holds a significant place in the cultural and musical fabric of Uzbekistan, serving as a companion to both popular and classical music. Its construction involves attaching a skin cover onto a wooden ring, creating a tambourine-like quality when metal pieces are attached. This instrument is akin to the Persian Daira and the Turkish Def, reflecting a shared musical heritage across Central Asia and neighbouring regions. Historically, the Doira is one of the oldest percussion instruments, with its roots traced back to terracotta monuments from the 2nd century BC, indicating its long-standing presence in ritual ceremonies and cultural expressions of the Uzbek people and other Eastern societies.^[1]^[2]

Doira being played at an Uzbek wedding

The Doira is deeply integrated into Uzbekistan's musical traditions, where it accompanies a wide array of performances, from dance to vocal music. The instrument is traditionally played by striking with fingers and shaking to produce a melodic chime from the rings, capable of creating a range of sounds from the rustling of wind to thunderous drumming. This versatility allows the Doira to serve not just as a rhythmic backbone but also as a solo instrument, demonstrating its dynamic range and expressive potential.^[3]

Uzbekistan's rich cultural heritage, especially in music, is exemplified by genres like Shashmaqam, recognized by UNESCO for its unique contribution to the world's intangible cultural heritage. This genre, alongside others in Uzbekistan, employs the Doira, showcasing its integral role in the nation's musical identity. The instrument's distinct sound and playing techniques contribute to the unique flavor of Uzbek music, which continues to thrive and evolve, resonating with both traditional and contemporary audiences. ^[4]

Construction Details

Frame

The wooden frame of the Doira is not just a structural element but a crucial contributor to its sound. The choice of wood, the frame's thickness, and its diameter all play pivotal roles in defining the drum's resonance and tonal character. A deeper and thicker frame can enhance the lower frequencies, adding depth to the drum's sound, while a thinner or smaller frame might emphasize the higher frequencies, lending a brighter quality to the Doira.

Membrane of the Doira

Membrane

The membrane, traditionally crafted from animal skin, is a critical factor in sound production. Its characteristics such as thickness, tension, and the specific type of skin used, directly influence the Doira's pitch and timbral qualities. Striking the centre of the membrane produces a low and dull sound, while hitting near the frame creates a higher and more resonant sound.The ability to adjust the membrane's tension allows for a versatile range of sounds, from deep, resonant tones to higher, sharper notes, facilitating a broad spectrum of musical expressions.

Metal Rings

Metal Rings of the Doira

Embedded within the Doira's frame, the metal rings or zills contribute to the instrument's characteristic jingling sound. These rings, varying in number, size, and material, interact with the membrane to produce a unique blend of percussive and melodic sounds. The dynamic interplay between the rings and the membrane adds a layer of complexity to the Doira's sound, enabling a myriad of rhythmic and timbral variations.

Playing Techniques

The Doira's rich palette of sounds is accessible through an array of playing techniques. The doira primarily produces two sounds: a deep "Bum" and a higher-pitched "Bak" and a very resonant sound is called a "Noxun." A sequence of two short sounds is referred to as "bakko," or "bakka" or "bakha." ^[5] Musicians employ various methods of striking, shaking, and manipulating the drum, each eliciting different responses from the instrument. These techniques, ranging from nuanced finger taps to robust palm strikes, influence the Doira's dynamic range, rhythmic complexity, and overall sound texture. Playing the Doira involves precise finger positioning and linking for control, with sharp sounds achieved by snapping fingers apart, and quieter tones produced by gliding the palm over the drumhead. Whether the drum is held in the left or right hand is flexible, accommodating the performer's preference. ^[6]The metal rings respond distinctively to different playing styles, enriching the instrument's sonic output with their vibratory jingles.

Methodology

Musical notes of the Doira

Recording

Employing microphones and controlled recording environments, the project captures the Doira's sounds across a spectrum of playing techniques. This meticulous approach ensures that the recordings are clean and detailed, providing a solid foundation for subsequent analysis.

Analysis

Utilizing audio analysis software, the project examines the recorded sounds to extract essential acoustic features. Detailed analysis of waveforms and spectrum graphs reveals the Doira's fundamental frequencies, harmonic overtones, and distinctive timbral characteristics. This systematic examination provides insights into the complex relationship between the Doira's physical attributes and its acoustic outputs.

Results

Spectrum Graph of the Doira, generating a "Bak" sound

Spectrum Graph of the Doira, generating a "Bum" sound

The analysis unveils intricate details about the Doira's sound. Visual representations of waveforms and spectral data illustrate the instrument's acoustic diversity, highlighting how different playing techniques and construction variations influence its sound. These findings offer a nuanced understanding of the Doira's acoustic properties, contributing valuable knowledge to the fields of musicology and acoustics.

Experimental Investigation

Technique Variation

Exploring the impact of various playing techniques, the research demonstrates how different methods of striking and shaking the Doira alter its sound. We investigated whether producing the "Bak" sound on the Uzbek Doira—a higher-pitched sound achieved by snapping and shaking the instrument to accentuate the metal rings—would increase its frequency. The first spectrum graph confirmed that this technique resulted in a higher frequency. Conversely, using precise finger positioning to glide the palm over the drumhead, we generated the deeper "Bum" sound, which, as shown in the second spectrum graph , produced a lower frequency. This segment reveals the nuanced ways in which a player's interaction with the instrument shapes its acoustic output.

Membrane Tension Adjustment

The tension of the Doira's membrane significantly affects its sound, influencing both pitch and timbre. Initially stretched during manufacture, the membrane's tension can be finely adjusted by a skilled technician. We hypothesize that increasing the membrane's tension will produce sounds of higher frequency, while loosening it will result in lower frequencies.This aspect of the study highlights the membrane's pivotal role in sound production, illustrating how tension adjustments can modify the instrument's sonic characteristics.

Originality and Relevance

This project stands out for its focus on a less commonly studied musical instrument, employing a rigorous scientific approach to unravel the acoustic mysteries of the Uzbek Doira. By blending experimental research with theoretical analysis, the study offers fresh insights into the Doira's sound production mechanisms.

The videos below show the Uzbek Doira being played by professionals:

https://youtu.be/w3q5E1DOJP4?si=ynWWfjkp9b3_Jmi0

https://youtu.be/au2tnDtlCrc?si=3kzcoVDukf_IDZn6