The tambourine is an instrument that combines a drum and jingles: a membrane is stretched over a wooden hoop (sometimes there is none at all), and pairs of small metal discs (jingles) are set into the rim, which ring when struck or shaken.
The tambourine is played by striking the membrane with the fingers or palm, shaking the instrument, or drawing a moistened finger across the skin (for a continuous “rustle”). It is known in countless cultures — from the ancient Mediterranean to India, from Spanish flamenco to the church and folk music of Europe. In the symphony orchestra the tambourine adds bright southern, “festive” colour, and in pop and rock brilliance and rhythmic energy. Simple yet inexhaustibly expressive, the tambourine is one of the oldest and most widespread percussion instruments of humanity.
