Klezmer
Klezmer literally means “musical instrument” and has only come to designate a distinct musical style in the latter half of the twentieth century. It was formerly described as “Yiddish music” because of the use of the Yiddish language in song, though most klezmer music is instrumental. The ensemble is referred to as klezmorim (the plural of klezmer) and has traditionally included a variety of instruments from Western Asia and Eastern Europe. In a typical klezmer ensemble, the clarinet or violin usually plays the primary melodic role. Also common are other European instruments, such as the accordion, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, flute, and bass, along with a standard drum set. Some instruments of Middle Eastern origin include the tsimbl (also known as cimbalom), a hammered zither, and occasional percussion, such as a tambourine (frame drum) or even a darabukka (goblet-shaped hand drum).