Zurna is almost always associated with davul (Turkey, Balkans; for the festive repertoires or military music of the Ottoman Empire, and the wandering repertoires) so that in Turkey today the term “davul-zurna” is used almost as one word.

This ensemble of one or more zurnas and one or more davuls can be considered as a traditional form, characteristic of a vast cultural territory beyond the areas of influence of the Ottoman Empire.

In the Balkans and Anatolia, the "davul-zurna" is structured around the rhythmic cycles of davul and the melodies of zurna. But it can free itself from the davul's rhythmic models by bringing a more loose rhythm, and even not measured if it is taksim. The forms and musical effects emanating from this percussion-melodic ensemble are reproduced as such by other instruments such as clarinet, violin, darbuka...

© Eric Legret - Drom