How to Play a Tambourine

A tambourine, or small handheld drum, is a percussion instrument with roots in ancient India, China, Egypt, Greece and Rome. Striking and shaking the tambourine are typical methods for playing it, and these guidelines explain different techniques to play the tambourine.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Tambourine

1. Select a tambourine that is comfortable for the musician to play. Some tambourines have drum heads or a skin covering the top and others are coverless. The tambourine's form varies from half moon to full circle.

2. Mount the tambourine on a stand or hold it in your hands. If it is mounted, strike the tambourine with your hand or with a percussion stick to the beat of the song to maintain rhythm.

3. Hold the tambourine in one hand with one thumb on the top and the other fingers underneath the instrument. Keep the tambourine at an angle with the ground.

4. Strike the tambourine using a quick motion at the edge using the first three fingers of the free hand to move the jingles with the beat. Maintain contact with the tambourine by keeping fingers on the top of the cover, if present.

5. Shake or strike a handheld tambourine that doesn't have a cover against your leg or hip as another playing option.

Tips & Warnings

• Use tambourines to teach children about rhythm and percussion instruments.

Resources

• Musiciansfriend has tambourines to purchase.