How to Use All the Fingers with Castanets

The castanets have a characteristic sound that's easily identifiable. Whenever one hears them, flamenco music and swirling ruffled skirts come to mind. Playing the castanets can be fun but a little challenging to learn. With this article, you can learn to play them yourself--with all of your fingers.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Test out castanets that are the right size for your hand. They need to hang from the thumb and fit comfortably in your palm. Too big, and they'd be awkward to play; too small, and you won't get the sound you like.
2. Keep a "heartbeat" with your left hand. Don't play the castanets in your left hand with more than your middle finger and ring finger.
3. Play the castanets in your right hand with all of the fingers, starting with your pinkie first.
4. Develop a roll, slowly at first, which runs from the pinkie on your right hand, your ring finger, your middle finger and your pointer finger.
5. End the roll with the two fingers of your left hand. It should sound like "clap, clap, clap, clap, CLAP." Though the sound of the castanets in your left hand may not be louder, the beat will be longer and have more emphasis.
6. Bring the roll of your right fingers up to tempo so the beats come quickly together. Don't worry if you find this takes a little time to master. Using all the fingers of your right hand is what makes the characteristic sound of castanets, and it's worth taking the time to do it as cleanly as possible.
7. Remember to keep the backs of your hands turned toward the audience as your playing the castanets with all of your fingers. As Yvette explains in her video (see Resources), the castanets are supposed to remain a mystery to the audience.