bring out the sleigh bells in July , but the bright metallic timbre can bring a shimmery vibe to a groove . A professional model will include about two dozen individual pellet bells ( crotals ) with a small ball inside each crotal . As the instrument is played , the pellet clangs around the bell ’ s inner surface . The result of multiple bells clanging slightly out of synch provides the jangly attack that is characteristic of sleigh bells .
MARK WITH A SHEKERE
CAXIXI Pronounced ka-she-she , this shaker is traditionally made with a woven basket cone attached to a circular piece of gourd . ( Some modern versions use plastic or metal instead of a gourd floor .) The instrument contains fill material such as beads , seeds , shells , or shot , and the gourd floor functions as the main striking surface . The caxixi sound has a slightly imprecise attack as the fill material strikes the convex floor and the interior of the woven cone . There is enough definition in the sound to allow for the playing of fairly rapid rhythms .
When searching among these instruments for the right sound , do not limit yourself to a single instrument ’ s tonal capabilities . The sonic solution might lie in creating a hybrid timbre — combining multiple sounds to produce a composite tone . Example : Mixing a cluster of chajchas with sleigh bells .
CAXIXI
The slushy and earthy instruments can function rhythmically or for purely coloristic effects . A simple shake of the chajchas or Togo seed rattle for a few seconds can bring an ethereal vibe to a musical moment .
Increase your timbral possibilities by adding more of the slushy and earthy to your percussion collection .
© 2024 Mark Shelton Productions / Percussion For Worship
Mark Shelton Mark Shelton is a freelance musician , educational consultant , and content creator based in Dallas / Fort Worth . Performance credits include North Carolina Symphony , Tin Roof Tango , Daystar Television , Gateway Worship , Stonebriar Church , Wichita Falls Orchestra , Strata Big Band , TALEA , and Dallas Wind Symphony . www . marksheltonmusic . com www . percussionforworship . blogspot . com www . instagram . com / marksheltonperc
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