tacks or with tuning hardware .
Mountable Tambourine Rather than trying to attach a tambourine to the tilter of a cymbal stand using the mounting hole , I prefer to use an instrument that is specially designed with mounting hardware . A mounted tambourine remains at the ready so that you can use both of your hands ( or sticks ).
Shake Tambourine If the tambourine part calls for non-stop sixteenth notes at a fast tempo for three minutes , you want an instrument that ’ s light and easy to maneuver . With no head to catch the air and lacking the weight of tuning hardware , the shake tambourine is designed for speed and the long haul .
YOUR TAMBOURINE ASSORTMENT As mentioned earlier , it is important to select an instrument with a tone color that will fit into the musical texture while allowing you to meet the technical demands of the music . With that in mind , having access to a few different tambourines allows you to have a choice in both of those matters . I suggest owning at least two of each of the three common designs ( headed , shake , and mountable ). Make certain that there is a distinct difference in tone between the instruments in each design .
CHOOSING THE SOUND FOR THE MOMENT Selecting the tambourine with an appropriate sound for a section of music is usually left up to your musical instincts . Familiarity with your
instruments will likely guide you to a suitable decision . There are times when I audition tambourines during a rehearsal by playing one instrument for a moment before switching to another to make a comparison that will assist in my decision .
© 2023 Mark Shelton Productions / Percussion For Worship
Mark Shelton Mark is a freelance musician and educational consultant based in Dallas / Fort Worth . Performance credits include North Carolina Symphony , Tin Roof Tango , Daystar Singers & Band , Gateway Worship , Wichita Falls Orchestra , Strata Big Band , TALEA , and Dallas Wind Symphony . www . marksheltonmusic . com percussionforworship . blogspot . com