My 'Shakey-Breaky' Heart

Rule one!
Don't put finger in hole.
-It might get stuck...that'd be awkward...

Hold it at a 45 degree angle.

Dynamics

• Fingers are soft
• Knuckles are mezzo
• Fist is loud
• Closer to middle is soft
• Closer to rim is loud

Tempo

• Balance tambourine on legs to do fast tempo with both hands on the rim
• Knee-Fist Technique - Hold it upside down--hit down beats on knee and offbeats with fist

Rolls (It's what's for dinner!)

• Shake Roll - Shake it like a polaroid picture
• Can be metered or not metered
• Thumb Roll - Press and slide the edge of your thumb along the edge of the head
• You can use bees wax or wet your thumb to improve traction

Tambourine Companies

• Grover (Like the president)
• Black Swamp
• Mixes the jangles so it has a better medium sound

Typically $170 for a good tambourine - Standard size is 10" but they also make 8" and 12"

Head Material

• Plastic
• Synthetic
• Calf Skin

Jangles (Like Bo...)

• Steel (Bright with no depth)
• German Silver (Most Common - All Purpose!)
• Copper (Brighter, nice high sound with a round upper timbre)
• Chromium (Very Dry)
• Bronze (Very thin and wet - good for shake rolls)