Hobbies And Interests
Origins
The tambourine dates back to the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Assyria and Israel. It was part of the Greek and Roman worlds. The Crusaders introduced the instrument to medieval Europe in the 13th century. It was used by minstrels and troubadours, the musicians of the time, as part of their music.
Description
A tambourine is a small frame drum made of wood. It may have skin stretched across it, or the inside of the circular frame can be empty. Attached to the frame is a series of jingles or snares in the shape of disks. The present-day tambourine closely resembles the instrument used in ancient times, which was known in Israel as the tof and in Greece and Rome as a tympanon. In medieval Europe the tambourine was called a timbrel or tabret.
Technique
The proper technique for playing the tambourine involves holding it in your hand. You shake it to the beat of the music, and the jingles or snares produce the sound. Hold the tambourine vertically between both hands for a good effect. An alternative is to strike the tambourine against your other hand, leg, elbow or knee to produce a sound from the vibration. In addition, use your fingers, such as a combination of the thumb and middle finger, to strike the skin.
Sounds
The sound of a tambourine that comes from the jingles is a high-pitched rattle. Holding it vertically produces a better sound than doing so horizontally. Orchestra members in the percussion section hold the tambourine at an angle ranging from 40 to 50 degrees, according to the Vienna Symphony Library. This angle produces the correct balance from the vibrations of the jingles and the sound of the hand or body striking the skin and frame.