Did you know that the first known use of the tambourine was recorded as early as 1700 BC? This ancient percussion instrument has been part of worship music for thousands of years, and is still used by church choirs and praise teams around the world. If you’d like to master the tambourine, here are a few of the different playing techniques you’ll need to know. The leg tapping method is the easiest way to familiarize yourself with playing—and keeping rhythm with—the tambourine. To start, hold the tambourine in your non-dominant hand, resting your thumb on one side of the frame and curling your fingers around the opposite edge. Then, tap it against your hip or upper thigh to a steady rhythm. You can start off slow with the leg tap and increase the speed as you become more comfortable, but don’t forget to stay on beat. Once you’ve grasped the basics, you can start to learn some tambourine rolls. The most basic type of roll, a shake roll, involves holding the tambourine upright and quickly rotating your wrist back and forth to make the instrument’s signature jingling sound. To produce a tighter-sounding thumb roll with your tambourine, trace the rim of the tambourine head with your thumb or forefinger. You can also use a mallet or stick to execute a stick roll, striking the tambourine head like a drum. Don’t feel discouraged if you have difficulty nailing these techniques on the first try. As with any instrument, practice makes perfect. By playing often, you’ll become a tambourine pro in no time. At Star Line Baton, we offer standard single and double jingle tambourines in multiple sizes to fit your worshipping needs. If you have any questions or need more information, call us at 931-528-7829.

Posted: 3/19/2021