Zabumba

A zabumba (Portuguese pronunciation: [zaˈbũbɐ]) is a type of bass drum used in Brazilian music.

The top head is usually muted with tape or cloth strip(s) and struck with a cloth-covered mallet (held in the right hand) to produce a low fundamental note with minimal overtones.

The bottom head is tuned tighter and is struck with a thin, twig-like stick called a bacalhau which is held in the left hand to produce a high fundamental with a sharp attack and numerous overtones.

In construction, tuning and performance technique, the zabumba is very similar to bass drums found in the eastern Mediterranean region, such as the davul.

The zabumba is used in the genres of forró, coco, baião, xaxado and xote.