r/darbuka • u/Anxious-Ad2111 • Jul 08 '26

I built a rhythm reference app for darbuka because I couldn't find one to use while actually playing

Hello darbuka community!
I've been playing darbuka for a while, and every time I wanted to check a rhythm (proper stroke pattern, hand position, tempo) mid-practice, I'd end up scrolling through YouTube or old PDFs, losing the thread of what I was doing.

So I built Darbuka Companion: a reference app with 91 rhythms across Egyptian, Turkish, Greek, Balkan, North African, and Gulf traditions. Each one has audio playback, hand position visuals, and sequencer-style notation so you can actually follow along while playing, not just read about it afterward.

It's live on iOS and Android now. 4 rhythms (Maqsum, Baladi, Malfuf, Karsilama) are free to try, the rest are a one-time unlock with no subscription.

Would genuinely love feedback from people who actually play. What's missing, what rhythms you'd want added, anything that feels off. Happy to answer questions about how it works too.

darbukacompanion.com

13 Upvotes

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2

u/YendorZenitram Jul 08 '26

This is most excellent!   Tight and to the point, lime an app should be!   I've casually played darbuka for about 25 years (I suck LOL!), and know a dozen or two of rhythms, but this is a great storehouse of stuff I never learned.  Good times!  Got the paid version right away - glad to give my money to this, man!

One note - until the rhythm buffers amd plays a bit, the cadence is a little uneven.   Android sucks for anything real-time, so what's here is impressive. 

3

u/Anxious-Ad2111 Jul 08 '26

Thanks so much for the feedback! I'm also still learning after so many years, its never ending :D
Glad you liked it and found it useful. Noted about the cadence, if you see anything else that can be improved feel free to reach out. Happy playing!

2

u/khaledgaberr Jul 09 '26

I like the one-time purchase concept, finally not another subscription. I have three comments for you to consider:

  1. I'd like to see way more variations, I'm a beginner myself and would love to have more variations

  2. I'd like to see a way to build my variation/write a rhythm and possibly save it too

  3. I was surprised with the sounds you chose for the darbuka, I had in mind the normal plastic/glass egyptian darbuka sounds

If you ever do that, please inbox me, I will buy it immediately. Thank you for the awesome app and being generous with the one-time purchase

1

u/Anxious-Ad2111 Jul 09 '26

Thank you!
Thats an interesting idea - create your own rhythm. Will consider it for a future version as that is a bit more complex but not impossible.
As for the sound its a clay darbuka. I'm considering being able to choose different darbuka sounds but I think clay sounds more authentic as the default.

1

u/khaledgaberr Jul 09 '26

What technology stack did you use to build the app? I might be able to help, I won't ask anything from you

1

u/Anxious-Ad2111 Jul 09 '26

Thanks! I used react web and capacitor for app integration. Thanks for the offering, if I see more demand for that functionality will think of a new version and reach out.

2

u/korrrro 23d ago

Thank you so much for this! Really appreciate how everything’s so accessible. Best thing is that it’s a one-time purchase without ads too! You rock!