Accessory Percussion
Instruments
Tambourine
• The standard “orchestral” tambourine
should have a head.
• Tambourines that do not have a head
should 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
String
Clip
Beater
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 twohanded
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