Where does a Zarb musical instrument come from?

Answer 1

Explanation for Different Names of Tonbak- Persian Goblet Drum Zarb On the whole applying the word zarb for this instrument is error allowed by usage. If we refer to different Persian dictionaries, we will find many meanings for this word that one of them is zadan (to play). By taking its different meanings into consideration perhaps we deduce that since the act of playing is done on this instrument, in other words, with a view to the fact that it is played on, so it has been named zarb; then immediately the question arises, setar (Persian long-necked lute, with 4 strings, 25-28 movable frets and wooden body) that is also an instrument and is played on, why it is not called zarb! Zarb that has been applied for this instrument of music, is apparently on this occasion that osul-e-zarb va ahang (rhythm) is underpinned to by this instrument [Saj, p9] and this justification is closer to fact. In order to complete this justification it should be stated that the job of tonbak players, as an accompanist, is to underpin to the composition to be performed by the soloist, though occasionally tonbak players perform tonbak solo after the great maestro, Hossein Tehrani. Other names: Dombalag, Khorazhak, Doumbek, Tonbak, Khonbak, Tabang