TAMBOURINES

Description

A tambourine is a percussion instrument consisting of a frame—usually wood or plastic—fitted with pairs of small metal jingles.
It can be played by shaking, striking with the hand or fingers, or rubbing the head to produce a continuous roll.

Common Types

1. Headless Tambourines: Feature an open frame with jingles only. Commonly used in rock, pop, and contemporary worship music for a crisp, bright accent.

2. Mounted Tambourines: Designed with a specialized mount to attach directly to a drum kit (often on the hi-hat rod or a side bracket).

3. Framed/Headed Tambourines: Feature a drumhead made of calfskin or synthetic material stretched across the frame. Used heavily in classical orchestral music, folk traditions, and traditional Latin or Middle Eastern genres (like the riq or pandeiro).

4. Half-Moon / Ergonomic Tambourines: Shaped in a crescent or cutaway design to distribute weight evenly, reducing wrist fatigue during extended performances.

Playing Techniques
1. Hand Strike: Tapping the head or edge with the palm, thumb, or fingers for distinct rhythmic beats.

2. Shake Roll: Continuously rotating the wrist back and forth to sustain a jingle effect.

3. Thumb Roll: Dragging a slightly moistened thumb or rubber-coated tip across the outer ring of the drumhead to create a fast, sustained vibration.