Image: Joe Mabel, CC BY 2.5 — via Wikimedia Commons
Skor daey
| Category | Percussion (goblet drum) |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Cambodia |
| Classification | goblet drum |
| Wikipedia | en.wikipedia.org |
| Wikidata | Q57075248 |
Overview
The skor daey is a small goblet-shaped drum used in Cambodian (Khmer) traditional and folk music. The body is wooden and tapers to a narrower base, with a single drumhead stretched across the wider end. It is played with the hands and produces a warm, resonant tone with both deep bass strokes and sharper open and slap sounds.
Origin & History
Goblet-shaped hand drums are common across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, and the skor daey belongs to this wider family. In Cambodia it has long been part of folk and ceremonial ensembles, alongside other drums such as the skor thom, skor yike, and a range of regional variants. Specific dating of the instrument is not well documented, and forms vary between regions.
How It’s Played
The skor daey is held under one arm or supported on the lap, and struck with the hands. Players produce a low bass stroke at the centre of the head and brighter slap or open tones near the rim. In folk music it is used to support melodic instruments and singers, providing rhythmic accompaniment for dances and processions. Patterns vary with the genre and region.
Cultural Significance
The drum is most often heard at weddings, village festivals, and informal gatherings rather than in the highly codified court ensembles. It has continued to be played throughout the recovery of Cambodian musical life after the disruption of the Khmer Rouge period, and is part of contemporary efforts to teach and document traditional Khmer arts.
Related Instruments
- Skor yike – a Cambodian frame drum family
- Skor thom – a large Cambodian barrel drum
- – a Middle Eastern goblet drum cousin
- Djembe – a West African goblet drum
- – another Middle Eastern goblet drum form
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the skor daey related to the darbuka?
Both are goblet-shaped hand drums. They evolved separately but share the same basic form and a similar range of stroke types.
Where is it heard most often?
In Cambodian folk music, weddings, and village festivals rather than classical court ensembles.
Is it played with sticks?
No. It is a hand drum, struck with the fingers and palms.
Image: photograph by Joe Mabel, CC BY 2.5 (Wikimedia Commons).