How to Play the Tambora
The tambora is a two-sided African-Caribbean percussion instrument that is most often used in merengue music. Like any other instrument, the tambora takes time and lots of practice to master. Though the tambora is not a complicated instrument, it can be used to play a wide array of complex rhythms that require your left and right hands to move independently from one another. For best results, use a metronome when you practice to help you keep track of the beat.
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Instructions
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Sit in the chair and place the tambora drum in your lap, with the skins facing toward your sides.
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Place the drum stick in your dominant hand or whichever hand it feels comfortable.
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Play one side of the tambora with the stick, and play the other side with your hand. On the stick side, alternate between tapping on the edge and striking the center of the drum. Striking different parts of the drum produces different sounds.
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Play downbeats with one hand while playing syncopating rhythms with the other hand. Mix it up whichever way you want, but always keep track of where the downbeat is, especially if you are playing with other musicians.
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