Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Tambourine

Subject
- Always use tambourines with heads, no rock tambourines
- Single, double, triple rows of metal jingles
• Double is most flexible
• Single only for very articulate passages
• Copper, silver, Beryllium copper (Cu, Ag, Be alloy)
- Copper=darker jingle sound 2nd best choice
- Silver=brighter jingle sound
- Beryllium for 1st choice middle/high school bands, in-between thicker sound
- Grover or Black Swan makers
• Get larger size
Maintenance
- Old, stretched heads=low boomy sound
• Replacement heads are available
• Not worth effort, have pro percussionist do it
- Important to never push or stretch out head
- Cracked shells or broken jingles are unfixable
- Hole in shell for cymbal stand, NOT thumb
Playing
- Hold up so audience can see/hear
- Hold at 45 degree angle when not playing, stops excess noise
• Grip firmly in hand, place thumb on head
• Anchor elbow on body
- Loud and slow

1
 Tuesday, September 18, 2018
• Right hand in fist, strike middle of head
• Hold hand on head to dry out sound
• Pull off for more resonance, wetter sound
- Soft and slow
• Anchor heel of palm on middle of head
• Play with pointer, middle, and thumb at edge of head
- Loud and fast
• Flip upside down
• Hit on knee and fist above
- Soft and fast
• Place leg on chair
• Set tambourine on knee
• Anchor both hands on middle of head
• Use both hands on edge of head
- Loud Rolls
• Shake rapidly in “elliptical shape” or back in forth
• Needs force and speed for good sound
• Start and end with hits, for definite entrances and releases
- Soft Rolls (Thumb rolls)
• Rub a finger (not always thumb) along edge
• Needs a bit of moisture, breathe on hand
• Alternatively, put light beeswax near edge
- Playing with sticks
• Precise head noise, articulate
• Hang at 45 from cymbal stand using hole in head
• Adjust to proper height