In some African tribes, India & also Iran,
clay pots are used as percussion. The clay pot,
partly idiophone & partly aerophone, is the
same pot that has traditionally been used for
carrying & keeping water but has also had the
function of a musical instrument. Despite its
simple shape, it has significant capability
in playing various kinds of rhythms.
Kuzeh (Iran)
In Baluchestan, two Kuzehs are played with
a metal platter. This combination, the oldest
idiophone instrument in Baluchestan, is known
as Kuzak & Tal. The Kuzeh is never played separately.
Rather, it is always accompanied by a platter.
The player can change the pitch by adding water into these clay pots.
The Kuzeh of Kerman is Spindle-like with no handhold.
They are made in small & large sizes to accompany
folk songs. Because of the uneven bottom, the
player uses special holders or holds it by hands or legs.
Since time immemorial, the white clay pot has been
common in Hormozgan province. Called Jahleh,
this pot is completely round & spherical.
To play Jahleh, one palm vertically beats
on the throat while the other hand strikes on
the body. The sound of the throat is thick while the
sound of the body is relatively dry. The combination of
these two sounds is marvelous. Jahlehs are played singly
or together by a group, though each player never uses
more than one Jahleh at a time.