Darbuka Lesson: Slaps (intermediate)

This tutorial teaches the technique I use for slaps. It’s a little different than how most players do it - my slap is designed to minimize hand and finger movement so it conserves your energy and allows you to play faster.
I resisted making this video for a long time because you really need to be able to hear a good slap, and I was afraid the microphone on my cell phone wouldn’t do an adequate job of capturing the differences between good and bad slaps. And nope, it didn’t. The transient (initial audio spike) of the slap is too fast for a cheap mic to capture, so you don’t hear the crack of a good slap the way you would hear it in the room, or listening to a recording from a quality mic. When you listen to good players, either live or in a decent recording, really LISTEN to how their slaps sound, and if you like what you hear, see if you can get your slaps to sound more like theirs!
***In the video I said that you should have your fingers together in the slap--I now wish I had put this point differently. It's okay if your fingers separate a little because they are relaxed. Mine often do! What I avoid is deliberately opening them, because that takes time and energy, and is unnecessary.

[@jec0435]

The wrist twist was a game changer! Thank you! I've hit the slap wall for sure.

[@anonagain]

Your Darbuka instructional videos have the best explanations of any I've found on KZbin so far - thanks! I especially appreciate the mention of different ways others do the strokes and acknowledging there's no one right way. Question: Is the Slap the same as Pa, or are they different strokes? Thanks again!

[@geoffchilders]

Thanks Anon! Yes, "Pa" is another word for slap. Sometimes you'll also hear it called "Saq."

[@louizakoulas7087]

Agree. Best explanations.

[@crisw3826]

Please make more videos. You are my go-to teacher!

[@ashleyrod666]

CRaacK, PollY WaNTs CRAAAck!! Seriously though, best instruction video on YT I've seen so far! Thank you so much!

[@crisw3826]

This was an awesome lesson. Thank you. So helpful.

[@frombox7152]

thanks a lot! very nice technique, and yes, it's kinda hard to hear good slap until it pops out eventually, it took me about 2 weeks before i finally did one... long way ahead! :D

[@ramzydaisy8822]

Great explanation

[@kotetuasia]

Thank you for this video! very helpful for me! from Japan

[@moabushamleh1589]

I can do all slap ways , it's all about practicing and daily training, Actually there is no difference between Phone sound or Mic sound , cuz i can proof it to you and play slap on both of them , the only thing you need to know about slap , keep practicing on it at least one hour per day, at the beginning you are going to see that it's not working but you should keep ur training on , then when you hit the slap you need to focus on the sound it must be like when you open a soda battle it does have the (pop) so the slap it must pop , also you need to get some power for it , like when you hit it , hit it with some power . 👌

[@TrouitalCastle]

Shotz X can you upload video while you doing it ?

[@joeboulosmusic3074]

Thank you for the video. Are you able to give the spellings for the people mentioned!

[@sadomasochris1337]

Many thanks for your videos, Geoff. I'm learning on a clay darbuka, and I'm not quite sure how the slaps should sound. Can you direct me to a good example? Cheers!

[@geoffchilders]

On a clay darbuka, they sound a bit gentler, less crisp. Here's an example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZSTl2qFhLF3jJI

[@sadomasochris1337]

Perfect! Thanks for your quick reply. Please keep posting darbuka vids!

[@vipulrathod510]

I think your room is your man cave

[@felixmotanu1220]

u're best teacher ever !! u'r index finger is fvcked because of playing for long time ??

[@geoffchilders]

Haha, no, it's a tumor. I'm getting it removed in a couple weeks.