Hand-held percussion instruments are important to the style and flavor of a musical piece. They can be found in both non-profit and professional groups, and are played more often in a band than in an orchestra.
Hand-held percussion instruments are also called auxiliary percussion, or more informally, “toys.” However, they are certainly no less important than their larger cousins. As the title implies, these percussive instruments can be held in one hand and played with the other. There are no multi-mallet xylophone notes or blindingly fast snare drum rolls. You don’t even have to worry about tuning!
Potential percussionists should keep in mind that certain techniques are necessary, and that there is more to playing auxiliary percussion than simply learning a rhythm and staying in tempo. You should also learn how to effectively play these instruments and how their various sounds lend themselves to certain musical styles.
Slide, Slap, Scrape, and Shake
Cabasa – No, this is not Polish sausage (a.k.a. Kielbasa); this is usually a short, wooden cylinder about five inches in diameter, with several strings of metallic beads around the rounded part, and a handle coming out the middle. Hold the handle with one hand, rest the beads in the palm of your other hand, and twist back and forth with a sharp motion. The cabasa is used in many music genres (including Latin, Rock, and Jazz) when you want a defined, rhythmic “shk shk” sound.
Claves (“KLA-vayz”) – About eight inches long, claves are usually two solid wood cylinders struck together. Hold one in the palm of one hand, with the fingers of that hand curled to form a “resonating chamber” beneath the wood. Strike with the other to create a light, high-pitched “tik tik” sound. These are used mostly in Latin music.
Cowbell – The metallic “tonk tonk” of a cowbell has many uses in various music genres. It can be a constant background for Rock or Swing, a syncopated accent to Ragtime, or a sound effect in Broadway musicals. Manufactured in various sizes, the cowbell is an oblong, hollow piece of metal that you hold in one hand while striking the top near the open end, usually with the thick end (“butt” end) of a drumstick or with a cowbell beater.
Finger Cymbals – About two inches in diameter, each of these looks like a miniature crash cymbal with a fabric or leather handle attached to the top. However, they are to be used only occasionally, as a light, exotic sounding accent to quiet music. Grasp each soft handle between your thumb and index finger (hanging the cymbals horizontally), then strike the edge of one with the edge of the other for a single “ding.”
Gogo Bells (a.k.a. Agogo Bells) – If played well, Gogo bells can get your listeners into a hot Latin or Caribbean mood quickly. They look like narrow, conical cowbells, usually seen in pairs or trios, each on the end of a curved metal bar. Again, strike only with the butt end of a drumstick. Gogo bells come in many different sizes, lending a variety of sounds to frequently fast dance or celebratory Latin music.
Guiro (“GWEE-Roh”) – This is one of the few percussion instruments you are supposed to scrape. Picture a wooden or plastic fish about ten inches long, with no face, no fins, two holes in the body, and plenty of ribs, and you almost have a guiro. Hold the guiro by placing two fingers in the holes, then with the other hand, scrape the thin, wooden stick across the ribs for a skeletal, Salsa-like dance flavor.
Maracas – One of the most popular Latin hand-held instruments, maracas are often played in pairs (sometimes with two in each hand). Although usually associated with Mexico, maracas are used in a variety of music to help create a charming Latin feel. Maracas are made from many different materials, including wood, plastic, or rawhide, and have a couple handfuls of beans, beads, or pebbles inside.
Ratchet – This instrument is a metal or wooden A-frame with small, wooden slats on the inside and a crank at the top, connected to a handle on the side. Turn the handle fast and you get a loud, “snappy” sound. The ratchet is often used to suggest mechanical sounds or to highlight moderately fast, usually comical passages.
Shaker – Although shakers can be round gourds with beads on the outside, the most common have thin plastic or wood cases and are usually cylindrical, or sometimes egg- or fruit-shaped, with tiny ball bearings or beads inside. Shake back and forth, so that the beads hit opposite sides of the case. Just like the maracas, a shaker adds a smooth Latin feel.
Slapstick – If you want the sound of two large pieces of wood smacking together, nothing beats a slapstick. Since a single hinge holds it together, you must play carefully to avoid catching any fingers in between the wood; use sturdy handles on the outside to prevent injury. However, spring-loaded models are generally safer. Slapsticks are often used to simulate a whip “crack.”
Sleigh Bells – Most people don’t realize that some non-holiday music calls for sleigh bells. This instrument is usually a thick piece of wood to which many small, metallic bells are attached (two or four rows). It is about one foot long and can be shaken, or struck on the handle end for a more defined sound. Sometimes the bells are simply sewn into a loose strip of fabric.
Slide Whistle – This instrument is just a long whistle, with a thin, metal rod than you pull out or push in to change the pitch as you play. It is most often used for amusement in high-energy atmospheres such as a circus march, or perhaps simply to show movement. Add a ratchet and a cowbell and see what happens!
Tambourine – Depending on the mood of the piece, the player can shake or strike this item in a variety of ways to produce many different sounds. It consists of a circular, wooden shell encasing flat, metallic “jingles” and usually has a head stretched across one side, made of animal skin or plastic. Tambourines are often heard in 1970’s era Rock tunes and in European folk songs, as well as in many other genres.
Triangle – One of the most popular hand-held percussion instruments, the triangle can help bring a variety of moods to the music. However, it is also used in conjunction with other instruments to accent or to keep a steady rhythm. It is essentially a solid metal tube, about one quarter to one half inch wide, bent into a triangle shape, and held by a thin string or wire. Strike it with a metal rod called a “beater,” which comes in various thicknesses, to help produce moods ranging from delicate to alarming.
Vibra-slap – As the name indicates, this instrument vibrates after being struck. The Vibra-slap is a thin metal rod bent to form a handle in the middle, with a wooden ball at one end and a fan-shaped wooden piece containing small, vibrating metal slats on the other end (see the picture near the top of this article). Hitting your leg or open palm with the wooden ball is often the best way to play it, rendering a jangling “kaaaa” sort of sound.
Woodblock – Most percussion instruments are appropriately named, and this is one of the best examples. The woodblock is a rectangular piece of wood, with some hollowed out interior space. You strike it (with a hard rubber mallet or sometimes a drumstick) right in the center, close to the hollowed edge for a solid “tok tok” sound. Woodblocks vary in size and can give character to almost any style of music, be it Jazz, Latin, Rock, or Broadway show tunes.
Summary
The items mentioned above are quite common and can be found in any reputable music store or catalog, or at a percussion retailer, including:
- Rhythm Tech (http://www.rhythmtech.com/)
- Steve Weiss (http://www.steveweissmusic.com/)
- Percussion Plus (http://www.percussionplus.co.uk/)
- World Musical Instruments (http://www.worldmusicalinstruments.com)
- Instrument Pro (http://www.instrumentpro.com)
Non-percussionists should keep in mind that hand-held percussion instruments are not always easy to play, requiring technique, and some percussion parts are quite repetitive, so if you have the opportunity to play one, you may want to bring a pencil to mark your music or otherwise keep track of how many times you should play a particular passage. Hand-held percussion instruments are invaluable as stylistic additions, and bring extra excitement to any musical piece.
Do you have a favorite percussion “toy”? Something not listed here?
What other “toys” have you seen? In what groups?