Split-finger

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The Turkish "split-finger" technique is a common drumming technique (used mainly on Egyptian style goblet drums) which was made popular by the famous Turkish drummer, Mısırlı Ahmet. Mısırlı Ahmet studied and practiced drumming in Egypt hence the reason why he is called 'Mısırlı' (the Egyptian).

There are various ways of implementing the split finger technique; using one hand, or interlacing the hits using both your hands.

The one hand split finger involves striking the rim (or a little bit further down) of the drum head with a downwards (or preferably diagonal) movement of the index finger of your ornament hand (that means the left hand for right-handed people, or the right hand for left-handed people) and then from there (with no extra movement) bringing your ring finger up with a slight twist to strike the rim (or close to the rim). When this is done correctly each hit should sound as though you have just hit a "ka" (which is a standard rim hit with the ornament hand).

The two hand split finger...There are a number of ways that this can be done. I will list all the ones that I know of (which are probably all of them) which are 6 different ways.

The two hand split finger technique is just a combination of right and left hand strikes. The below table shows the most common ways that it is done.

Note: When doing the two hand split finger, use more of a side-to-side swaying motion with your hands, this is the most efficient way of doing it for speed purposes and comfortability.

{The below hand configuration is for right-handed people, if you are left-handed just reverse the order}

1. Ring Finger, Index Finger, Index Finger, Ring Finger

  RIGHT HAND   LEFT HAND     RIGHT HAND    LEFT HAND

2. Index Finger, Index Finger, Ring Finger, Ring Finger

  RIGHT HAND    LEFT HAND     RIGHT HAND   LEFT HAND

3. Ring Finger, Index Finger, Index Finger, Ring Finger

  RIGHT HAND   RIGHT HAND    LEFT HAND     LEFT HAND

4. Index Finger, Ring Finger, Index Finger, Ring Finger

  RIGHT HAND    RIGHT HAND   LEFT HAND     LEFT HAND

5. Tek, Index Finger, Tek, Ring Finger

  RIGHT HAND    LEFT HAND   RIGHT HAND     LEFT HAND

6. Tek, Index Finger, Ring Finger, Index Finger, Tek, Ring Finger, Index Finger, Ring Finger

  RIGHT HAND  LEFT HAND  LEFT HAND  LEFT HAND  RIGHT HAND  LEFT HAND  LEFT HAND  LEFT HAND

{The result of each one of these combinations is that there are 4 rim hits for each beat making a very fast roll at anything above 180-200 Beats Per Minute}

  • Note: a "Tek" is a standard rim hit with the main hand (for most players the main hand is the right hand)
  • Also Note: the last combination (Number 6) is over 2 beats making for 4 strikes also per beat, do not get the misconception that it is 8 strikes per beat [ you would have to be faster than superman and Bruce Lee put together to be able to do that at anything near or over 200 Beats Per Minute :) ]

It might seem very difficult at first but with persistent practice your fingers will get used to it and it will seem like second nature.

Note: if your fingers start to hurt a lot or your wrists get very sore it probably means that you are doing it wrong. Of course, your wrists might hurt a bit after practicing but that is not your aim. There is an efficient way of doing the split hand technique which doesn't involve quite as much wrist movement as the above mentioned way. Rather than doing more of an 'up and down' movement with your wrist on the ornament hand make it a more 'side to side' movement. This generally increases speed and your wrist won't hurt as much.