The Bedouin lifestyle contributed to the development of the simple, portable musical instruments used in traditional Arab music. These include the rababa (one- or two-stringed instrument considered the precursor of the violin), the nai (a wooden or reed flute, played like a recorder), the deff (a tambourine with brass cymbals that can sound like a drum), the tabl (long drum covered with animal skins), and the `ud (a pear-shaped stringed instrument considered the predecessor of the guitar and the lute). These instruments are used still used today by musicians in all Arab countries, along with contemporary instruments, including the synthesizer.

Nora with drum	Hanaan with `ud	Yusuf playing nai

Links:

Traditional Music of Kuwait (Kuwait Information Office)

Middle Eastern Rhythms FAQs

Contemporary Kuwaiti (and other) Music On The Internet

Arabic MIDI