How to Learn to Play a Tambourine

Learn how to play this folksy instrument.

A tambourine is a simple and fun percussion instrument that can help you jam along with your favorite tunes and accompany your singing voice. These instruments have been around since the Middle Ages and are still very popular today in folk music and tribal music. Before you begin, select a tambourine that is a comfortable weight, size and fit for you. Having the right tambourine will make it easier for you to learn how to play the instrument.

Things You'll Need

• Music player
• Speakers
• Tambourine

Instructions

1. Plug your music player into speakers and play a song that you like. Hold the tambourine firmly in your hand and shake it to the beat. Practice keeping the music's rhythm with the tambourine throughout the song.

2. Practice strategic pauses with the tambourine. Shake the tambourine to the music's beat, but hold it still every other beat to practice keeping the rhythm while you pause.

3. "Strike" the tambourine. Hit the tambourine body against your leg or hand to create a sharper sound than shaking. Practice striking the tambourine to the music's beat.

4. "Roll" the tambourine. Hold the tambourine securely in your hand and quickly flick your wrist back and forth, as if shaking a rattle, to create a continuous sound.

5. Combine all techniques (shaking, striking, rolling and pausing) while keeping the beat to the music.

References

• YouTube: How to Keep Time on Tambourines
• YouTube: How to Play Accents on the Tambourine