RATTLE THE RATTLES The chajchas( goat hooves) and seed pod rattles fall into the category of cluster rattles. Try a gentle sustained shake for a few seconds to create an ethereal timbre.
A DASH OF DING Both triangle and finger cymbals can enhance an ethereal texture, but the brilliant timbres can move from tasty to tedious if those sounds are heard too frequently. Search for a few appropriate spots to add a small bit of shimmering metallic percussion.
THE SOUND OF WOOD The musical term a piacere means at pleasure( to play freely— without a strictness of tempo). The sound of a wooden idiophone such as a wood block, slit drum, or claves played a piacere can provide an ambient quality.
SEED POD RATTLES
Check out the video below demonstrating a few examples of wooden timbres played with unrestricted free rhythm.
THE SUPERNAL SHAKE When the music calls for ambient percussion, I have often added a shaker or maraca roll that fades up to an appropriate level before beginning to fade away.
Delicate Tintinnabulation The Mark Tree( bar chimes) ranks high on the list for producing dreamy, atmospheric effects. Take it easy on both the upward and downward glissandi. Instead, try a light brushing of several cylinders— a sound similar to metal wind chimes moved by a gentle breeze.
Do not get hung up on playing only long sounds. A sprinkling of short notes can have a place in the ambient atmosphere.
As you craft these sonic textures, it is easy to get carried away. In orchestrating atmospheric moments, remember the punctuating power of allowing space.
Invest time experimenting with your instruments to develop a sound palette of appropriate effects. Be ready when you hear,“ Give me something atmospheric.” As you search among your timbral choices, do not limit yourself to a single instrument’ s tonal capabilities. The sonic solution might be found in a hybrid timbre— combining multiple sound sources to produce a composite tone. Try a hint of bar chimes with a crescendodecrescendo shaker roll or combining sleigh bells with a cluster rattle.
© 2025 Mark Shelton Productions / Percussion For Worship
Mark Shelton Mark Shelton is a freelance musician, educational consultant, and content creator based in Dallas / Fort Worth. Mark’ s percussion work has been heard with North Carolina Symphony, Tin Roof Tango, Daystar Television, Gateway Worship, Stonebriar Church, Wichita Falls Orchestra, Victory Channel, Strata Big Band, TALEA, and Dallas Wind Symphony. www. marksheltonmusic. com www. percussionforworship. blogspot. com
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