"split-finger" or "split-hand" technique is a common drumming technique (used mainly on Egyptian

style goblet drums and Indian drums like tabla and kanjira) which was made popular by the famous
Turkish drummer, Mısırlı Ahmet. Mısırlı Ahmet studied and practiced drumming in Egypt, hence
'Mısırlı' (the Egyptian).

There are various ways of implementing the split finger technique, using one hand, or interlacing the
hits using both hands.

The one hand split finger. This involves striking the rim of the drum head (or a bit further down) with
a downwards (or diagonal) movement of the index finger of your ornament hand (that is the left
hand for right-handed people, or the right hand for left-handed people) and from there, with no
extra movement, bringing your ring finger up with a slight twist to strike the rim (or close to the rim).
When this is done correctly each hit should sound like a regular "ka" (which is a standard rim hit with
the ornament hand).

The two hand split finger. This is a combination of right and left hand strikes. The table below shows
the most common ways that it is done.

Note: A side-to-side motion with the hands is more ideal and efficient when doing the two hand split
finger (for speed and comfort).

Also note: a "Tek" is a standard rim hit with the main hand (not ornament).

{The below configuration is for right-handed people; for left-handed the order of the fingers is
reversed}

1. Index finger, index finger, ring finger, ring finger

RIGHT HAND LEFT HAND RIGHT HAND LEFT HAND

2. Ring finger, index finger, index finger, ring finger

RIGHT HAND LEFT HAND RIGHT HAND LEFT HAND

3. Index finger, ring finger, index finger, ring finger

RIGHT HAND RIGHT HAND LEFT HAND LEFT HAND

4. Ring finger, index finger, index finger, ring finger

RIGHT HAND RIGHT HAND LEFT HAND LEFT HAND

5. Tek, index finger, Tek, ring finger

RIGHT HAND LEFT HAND RIGHT HAND LEFT HAND

6. Tek, Index finger, ring finger, index finger, Tek, ring finger, index finger, ring finger

RIGHT HAND LEFT HAND LEFT HAND LEFT HAND RIGHT HAND LEFT HAND LEFT HAND LEFT
HAND

The result of each one of these combinations is that there are 4 rim hits for each beat making a very
fast roll at anything over 200 beats per minute.

Note: the last combination (bumber 6) is over 2 beats, making for 4 strikes also per beat (not 8
strikes).

Note 2: There is a more efficient way of doing the split hand technique, which doesn't allow the
fingers or wrists to become sore, and doesn't involve as much wrist movement as the above
mentioned way. This is done by using a more "side to side" movement than an "up and down"
movement with the wrists. This generally increases speed without hurting the wrists.