The davul, dhol, tapan, atabal or tabl is a large double-headed drum that is played with mallets.

Additionally, other names for the daouli, depending on the area, include toumpano, tymbano, or toumbi, which stem from the Ancient Greek: τύμπανον (týmpanon); this word exists in English in the word tympani for the drum section in the modern classical orchestra and the tympanic membrane for the eardrum.

In the southern Balkans, the rhythm of the tapan is complex and utilizes many accents in numerous traditional time signatures.

They are generally struck with a wooden mallet on one skin and with a thinner stick on the rim or cymbal.

In Armenia, the dhol does not have as large of a circumference and is usually played with the hands, although a wooden, spoon-shaped drumstick is also used sometimes.

Sometimes metal rings or leather straps join neighboring strands of the rope in order to allow for further tuning.

Each hand is usually dedicated to playing one side of the drum exclusively, though this can vary by local style and tradition.

Sometimes the drumhead played with the thick stick is also muted with a cloth to enhance the fundamental low note of the drum.