Accessory Percussion Instruments

Tambourine• The standard “orchestral” tambourine

should have a head.

• Tambourines that do not have a headshould be used for rock/Latin/popular music.

Performance

• One hand will hold the instrument while the other plays.– “Piano” playing: Use 2-3 fingertips– “Mezzo Forte”: Use all fingertips– “Forte”: Fist in center of head

Rolls

• Shake Rolls– Hold instrument vertically– Twist the wrist

• Thumb Rolls– Rub thumb/finger around edge of head– Moisten finger to create friction

Other Playing Techniques

• Fist/Knee Technique– When playing rapid passages

– Place foot on chair

– Hold tambourine upside down

– Alternate between fist and knee

Triangle

Beater

Clip

String

Triangle

Performance

• Hold instrument above ensemble (look through it)

• Rolls are played on the inside edge

• For fast passages you may need 2 beaters and mount the instrument

Cabasa

• Used in Latin Music

• Played by Twisting wrist & Rotating

Wood Block

• Come in many different sizes

• Played with mallet

Temple Blocks

• Usually come in 5 different pitches

• LP Granite Blocks

Sleigh Bells

• Played by beating fist against opposite hand

• Can be shaken for rolls

Slapstick

• Also referred to as “whip”

• One handed and two-handed versions

Finger Cymbals

• Can be played by being struck together or with a triangle beater

Vibraslap

• Hold instrument vertically for best sound

• Strike against hand

Shaker

• Hold @ eye level

• Shake with a back-and-forth motion

Castanets

• Played with hands similar to hand percussion

• Also come in handle version

Claves

• Used in Latin music

• Cup hand to form a “bridge” and strike claves together

Ratchet

• Turn crank to produce sound

Maracas

• Traditional Latin Instrument

• Shake with each hand to produce sound

Guiro

• Scrape with stick/mallet back and forth to produce sound

Cowbell

• Strike with stick

• Strike at various points to produce different timbres

Agogo Bells

• Similar to cowbells

• Various pitches