Download Article
Download Article
Tambourines can be played alongside a variety of musical genres, from orchestral to pop to everything in between. If you want to learn a simple and versatile instrument, the tambourine might be the right fit for you. Although playing this instrument can be straightforward, learning the right techniques for holding and striking a tambourine will improve your overall sound. Paired with good timekeeping skills, your tambourine can add the perfect musical accent to any song.
Steps
-
Hold the tambourine with your non-dominant hand. If you are left-handed, for example, place the tambourine in your right hand (or vice versa). Because most people have less control over their non-dominant hand, it will be put to better use holding the instrument than striking it. [1] X Research source
-
Wrap your four fingers around the tambourine's frame. Rest your thumb against either the tambourine head or across the top edge to keep it out of the way. [2] X Research source
- Try not to put your fingers on the tambourine's metal cymbals, or zils, as this can muffle the sound.
Advertisement -
Strike the tambourine with your dominant hand. Hit the tambourine with your four fingertips or with a stick held in your dominant hand, which will give you a wider range of control as you play with the tambourine. [3] X Research source
-
Keep your grip loose. Putting too much pressure on the tambourine's frame can limit its volume. If you feel your hand tightening, relax your grip as much as possible. [4] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Try a standard strike. Hold your four dominant fingers together and hit the head of the tambourine in the top or bottom third of the tambourine. Play a simple standard strike to whatever beat or rhythm the accompanying music requires. [5] X Research source
- Striking the tambourine in the center usually produces a muddled tone.
-
Beat a snare drumstick against the tambourine for a louder sound. Hold the tambourine in your non-dominant hand and hit the head with a snare drumstick. Use more pressure while you hit the head for a louder sound and vice versa for softer. [6] X Research source
-
Do a thumb roll for a continuous sound instead of a rhythm. Hold the tambourine at a slight angle from horizontal, and curl your four dominant fingers into a fist. Press your thumb against the tambourine's head and drag it in a circular motion. This should cause the zils, or metal cymbals, to make a sustained jingling sound. [7] X Research source
-
Use a shake roll for longer periods of time than a thumb roll. Thumb rolls are ideal for short jingling sounds but, if you need something longer than a few seconds, a shake roll will work better. Hold the tambourine vertically in front of you and twist it back and forth with your non-dominant hand. Shake it as quickly or as slowly as you want depending on the rhythm you're trying to achieve. [8] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Practice transitioning between striking techniques. Depending on the song's rhythm, you may need to rotate between several different striking methods in a song. Practice going from one technique to another quickly so that if a song calls for several different tones or rhythms, you can match it with the right roll or strike. [9] X Research source
-
Play as much of the rhythm as possible on one hand. While using two hands may seem useful for complex songs, it can mess with your timing. Avoid switching the tambourine back and forth between your hands for the clearest rhythm.
-
Strike your tambourine against your knee when playing fast rhythms. If you're playing along to a fast song, hold the tambourine in your non-dominant hand and prop your foot on something that puts your thigh parallel to the floor, like a box or stepping stool. Strike your knee or thigh with the tambourine's shell (back side) while you play a tempo with your dominant hand. [10] X Research source
- This helps make the tambourine strike louder and more pronounced.
-
Play to the beat of the percussion if you don't know when to play. If you're trying to play along to a song you didn't write, listen for a drum, triangle, cymbal, or other percussion instruments, and try striking your tambourine to the same beat.
- When in doubt, this is a safe way to make sure you're playing to the right beat.
Advertisement
-
Train yourself to identify time signatures. Developing a good ear for tempos will help you beat out the same rhythms on your tambourine. Listen to common music time signatures while reading the accompanying sheet music to learn how different tempos affect musical notes.
-
Record yourself to assess your current time keeping skills. Choose a time signature (like 4/4 or 6/8) and try to beat your tambourine to the rhythm while recording yourself. Listen to the recording and make a mental assessment of your abilities. Ask yourself the following questions: [11] X Research source
- "Did I hurry or slow down too much at any parts?"
- "How even was my rhythm?"
- "If I compared this to a metronome beating at the same time signature, how would it compare?"
-
Practice keeping accurate time with a metronome. A metronome can help guide you through a tempo and train you to play an even rhythm. Set your metronome to a specific time signature and strike your tambourine along to the beat. As you improve on keeping time with your metronome, set your metronome to increasingly complex time signatures.
- If you don't have a metronome, download a metronome app on your phone.
-
Play along to song recordings. Choose a recording with a time signature you're having trouble with and try to accompany the song with your tambourine. A song already featuring a tambourine is ideal to start with because you can compare your timekeeping skills to the tambourine recording. As your rhythm improves, progress to songs without tambourines and add your own beats as you see fit.
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVGcLB2X24A&feature=youtu.be&t=4
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is95miw4fm8&feature=youtu.be&t=26
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42c37C1NzxU&feature=youtu.be&t=75
- ↑ https://www.instrumentinsider.com/history-of-the-tambourine/
- ↑ https://stewarthoffmanmusic.com/the-online-percussion-guide/#tambourine-technique
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9al3107EeVs&feature=youtu.be&t=9
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ8pHYKjHVY&feature=youtu.be&t=12
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zntW_R2qD2M&feature=youtu.be&t=4
- ↑ http://groverpro.com/docs/Tech-Talk/Tambourine_Essentials_Ben_Stiers.pdf
Community Q&A
Search
-
QuestionHow can we get on the beat?Community AnswerJust try to feel it! Just listen; tap your foot along with the beat, then add the tamborourine to the foot tapping.
-
QuestionWhere can I purchase a tambourine?Community AnswerYou could purchase online from sites such as Amazon or eBay, or you could check local music stores, which may even sell them used.
-
QuestionHow do I avoid hurting/bruising my hands?Andy WinderCommunity AnswerYou don't have to put too much pressure on the tambourine to play it. Strike the tambourine more softly if you often hurt or bruise your hands.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Tips
- Take tambourine lessons from a musician to improve your technique on a professional level.Thanks
- Play the tambourine if you want an instrument with plenty of genre variety. Tambourines can be played alongside pop, rock, folk, marching, classical, and many other musical styles.Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To play a tambourine, start by holding the tambourine in your non-dominant hand. Wrap four fingers around the frame, and rest your thumb against the tambourine head or across the top edge. Play the tambourine by striking it with your dominant hand, or strike the tambourine with a stick for a wider range of control. Remember to keep your grip loose, since too much pressure on the frame can limit its volume. For detailed instructions, including how to vary your tones and rhythms with different striking techniques, read on.
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 155,317 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I never realized how versatile a tambourine is until I saw this article. Thanks so much."
Advertisement
82%
of readers found this article helpful
.
Click a star to add your vote
% of people told us that this article helped them.
"I never realized how versatile a tambourine is until I saw this article. Thanks so much."
"So basic, but so important. Great article."
"It is amazing and it really helps me."
