How to Wear Castanets

Castanets are musical instruments rich in history. A percussion instrument original to Spain, the castanet is a shell-shaped, hard wood instrument that is hollowed to produce a rich sound. Learn how to properly wear castanets to successfully produce distinct music.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Measure you hand to determine a proper fit for your castanets. Stretch out your hand and measure your palm at the widest point (just under the fingers, but not including the thumb). Visit a reputable music store that can equip you with the correct castanets based on your measurement.

2. Check the castanets to ensure you wear the castanets on the correct hands. Each castanet should have either an "R" or "L" on it to signify the right or left hand.

3. Observe the string on the castanets. The string that connects a set of castanets forms a knot on one side and a loop on the other. Place your thumb in the knot opening with your thumb nail and the knot facing your body. Move the knot down to the place where the thumb meets the hand and stop just before the lower knuckle. With the same thumb, take the looped portion of the string and place the thumb through the loop. The loop should rest just below the thumb nail and the upper knuckle of the thumb should separate the knot from the loop.

4. Pull on the knot string to tighten the castanets. Allow the castanets to loosen as you wear and play them. Tighten them when the need arises.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear castanets that are sufficiently tight. Castanets that are too loose don't create a good sound and also can fall off.