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These mounted and handheld percussion instruments have far more applications than we imagine. Whether you’re using hand drums or rhythm sticks to teach the fundamentals of rhythm or want professional-grade chimes to add sound effects for your stage performance, West Music has just what you need – and everything in between! Browse our offering of tambourines, triangles, finger cymbals, egg shakers, sleigh bells, and more.
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Hand and mounted percussion instruments are integral to various musical styles, providing texture, rhythm, and color to compositions. From the shimmering sounds of chimes, tambourines, cabasas, and triangles to the earthy tones of maracas, castanets, guiros, and rainsticks, these instruments are played by shaking, striking, or scraping, making them accessible and engaging for musicians of all levels.
Hand drums are available in various sizes to create different tones and accommodate students of any size. Drums provide a path to learning rhythm and can be used for improvisation activities.
Rhythm sticks are a staple for any music classroom to learn rhythm through echo patterns and beat activities. Available in wood or plastic, rhythm sticks are an affordable and accessible instrument for any teaching setting.
Chimes, consisting of metal tubes suspended on a frame, are played by striking them with a mallet. They produce a bright, resonant sound that can add a magical quality to music. Chimes are often used to accentuate specific moments in a song or to create a soothing, ambient effect.
The tambourine is a versatile instrument that combines a drumhead with metal jingles for a more portable solution. It can be shaken or struck, producing a bright, rhythmic sound that complements various musical styles. The tambourine is often used to add a lively element to songs, especially in folk, pop, and religious music.
The cabasa, constructed with a loop of steel ball chain wrapped around a wide cylinder, is played by rotating the chain against the cylinder's ridges. It creates a metallic, shaker-like sound often used in jazz, pop, and African music.
Despite its simple shape, the triangle is a nuanced instrument capable of producing a range of tones. It is struck with a metal beater, emitting a piercing, bell-like sound. The triangle is used in classical, folk, and modern music for its clear, resonant tones.
Another small but powerful instrument, traditionally made from gourds filled with seeds or beads, Maracas is one of the most recognizable percussion instruments. Played by shaking, they produce a distinctive rattling sound. Maracas are fundamental in Latin American music and popular in pop and folk genres.
For a hollower sound, castanets are small, concave wooden shells clicked together with the fingers to produce a rapid, staccato sound. They are often associated with flamenco music but are also used in orchestral and folk music to add a unique percussive element.
The guiro is another Latin American percussion instrument with ridges on one side. Scraping a stick along the ridges produces a raspy, rhythmic sound. The guiro is essential in styles like salsa and merengue, providing a distinctive texture to the music.
For a more atmospheric instrument, the rainstick is a long, hollow tube filled with beads or small pebbles. When tilted, it mimics the sound of rain, creating a soothing, ambient noise. Rainsticks are used in various musical contexts, from meditation and sound therapy to theatrical sound effects.
Author: Aaron Hansen