1. Accessory Percussion Instruments

2. Tambourine The standard “orchestral” tambourine should have a head.
Tambourines that do not have a head
should be used for
rock/Latin/popular music.

3. 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

4. Rolls Shake Rolls Thumb Rolls Hold instrument vertically
Twist the wrist
Thumb Rolls
Rub thumb/finger around edge of head
Moisten finger to create friction

5. Other Playing Techniques
Fist/Knee Technique
When playing rapid passages
Place foot on chair
Hold tambourine upside down
Alternate between fist and knee

6. Triangle
String
Clip
Beater
Triangle

7. 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

8. Cabasa
Used in Latin Music
Played by Twisting wrist & Rotating

9. Wood Block
Come in many different sizes
Played with mallet

10. Temple Blocks
Usually come in 5 different pitches
LP Granite Blocks

11. Sleigh Bells Played by beating fist against opposite hand
Can be shaken for rolls

12. Slapstick Also referred to as “whip”
One handed and two-handed versions

13. Finger Cymbals
Can be played by being struck together or with a triangle beater

14. Vibraslap Hold instrument vertically for best sound
Strike against hand

15. Shaker
eye level
Shake with a back-and-forth motion

16. Castanets Played with hands similar to hand percussion
Also come in handle version

17. Claves Used in Latin music
Cup hand to form a “bridge” and strike claves together

18. Ratchet
Turn crank to produce sound

19. Maracas Traditional Latin Instrument
Shake with each hand to produce sound

20. Guiro
Scrape with stick/mallet back and forth to produce sound

21. Cowbell Strike with stick
Strike at various points to produce different timbres

22. Agogo Bells
Similar to cowbells
Various pitches