Tambourines 101: The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide for Musicians

Are you ready to unlock the melodic possibilities of the tambourine?

This guide is your key to discovering the perfect tambourine for your musical needs.

From Remo Quadura to Layne Redmond’s signature tambourines, I’ll show you the best tambourines for every musician, drummer, and hands-free performer.

So let’s get started on our journey to finding the perfect tambourine for you!

Key Takeaways

  • The Remo Quadura is a highly recommended tambourine for beginners, with its iconic status and affordable price.
  • Drummers can benefit from tambourines with handheld grips, such as the Pearl Quickmount Tambourine, for adding texture to their sound.
  • LP Foot Jingle provides a hands-free solution for playing the tambourine, making it ideal for acoustic guitarists, cajon players, and street performers.
  • Musicians looking for tunable tambourines should consider the CP Tunable Tambourine, which offers the ability to tune the instrument and features a durable metal frame.

Best Selling Tambourines

The most iconic tambourine in recent music history is the Remo Quadura – a great pick for those unsure of what they want and within reach for beginners. It features a drumhead, allowing it to be played handheld, and its price comparison to other brands is unbeatable.

For drummers, the Pearl Quickmount Tambourine is an ideal choice, as it has no drumhead and is suitable for texture and shaking.

Alternatively, Meinl Hi-Hat Tambourine and LP Click Hi Hat Tambourine provide silent bells when striking cymbals.

LP Foot Jingle is hands-free and great for guitarists, cajon players, street performers, and one-man bands.

Finally, CP Tunable Tambourine is tunable and offers two rows of jingles for louder sound.

All these are popular tambourine brands.

Tambourines for Drummers

If you’re a drummer, you may want to consider a tambourine with a handheld grip and no drumhead.

This type of tambourine is great for adding texture to sound when attached to hi-hats, and there are even some models with silent bells for striking cymbals.

Consider the popular Pearl Quickmount Tambourine or the Meinl and LP Click Hi Hat Tambourine.

To learn how to record drums, check out this article.

Drummers’ Grip

For drummers looking for a tambourine with a handheld grip, the Remo Quadura is a great option. It’s a classic choice for many, and its price is attractive for those just starting out. It allows for a variety of tambourine techniques, helping drummers choose the right one for their needs.

Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher is known for using a similar tambourine, the Pearl Quickmount, which is ideal for adding texture to sound when attached to hi-hats.

If a silent bell sound is desired when striking hi-hat cymbals, the Meinl Hi-Hat Tambourine and LP Click Hi Hat Tambourine are both perfect choices.

With its grip and lack of drumhead, this type of tambourine is the perfect addition to any drummer’s setup.

Hi-Hat Use

When it comes to using tambourines in drumming, the Pearl Quickmount and Meinl Hi-Hat Tambourine are two great choices.

The Pearl Quickmount is a handheld tambourine with no drumhead, making it ideal for adding texture to the sound when attached to hi-hats. It’s also the tambourine of choice for Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher.

Meinl’s Hi-Hat Tambourine is perfect for silent bells when striking hi-hat cymbals. Both of these models are great for tambourine techniques and adding texture to the sound.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned drummer, these tambourines are reliable options for your playing needs.

Silent Bells

You may also want to consider silent bells when playing hi-hat cymbals, and two of the most popular options are the Meinl Hi-Hat Tambourine and the LP Click Hi Hat Tambourine.

Both offer the benefits of reducing volume and adding texture to your sound.

The Meinl model comes with a simple rubber handle for a secure grip, while the LP model provides a lightweight aluminum frame.

Both have 8 pairs of jingles for a bright and full sound.

The Meinl is also designed to fit inside the hi-hat cymbals for extra stability.

Both tambourines are great accessories for drummers, but the LP is the better choice if you’re after a quieter sound.

Hands-Free Tambourines

If you’re looking for a hands-free tambourine, the LP Foot Jingle might be the perfect option for you. It offers a secure grip for playing, as well as a variety of materials such as plastic or metal.

This tambourine is ideal for adding texture to sound when it’s attached to hi-hats, or even for simple shaking. The size and limited number of bells might reduce sound quality, but for street performers and one-man bands, this tambourine is highly recommended.

It’s also a great choice for acoustic guitarists and cajon players. Despite the smaller size, it still provides a full sound, making it a great option for those looking for a hands-free tambourine.

Tunable Tambourines

Tunable tambourines offer a unique feature that allows musicians to customize their sound. These tambourines feature 8 tuning keys around the head, as well as a metal frame for added durability, giving you the ability to create a variety of sounds.

With the right model, you can easily fine-tune your tambourine to your desired pitch.

Tuning Keys

If you’re looking for tambourines with tuning keys, the best option is the CP Tunable Tambourine. It features 8 tuning keys around the head, allowing for precise tuning techniques.

The tambourine also has a metal frame for added durability, 2 rows of jingles for a louder and more complex sound, and alternative materials like plastic and synthetic fibers.

It’s great for musicians looking to play a variety of sounds and gain more control over their instrument.

The CP Tunable Tambourine is the perfect choice for those who want to experiment with different tuning techniques and materials.

Metal Frame

Experience the durability and control of a metal frame with a tunable tambourine.

CP Tunable Tambourine is a great choice for those wanting to level up their tambourine game.

It features an 8-key tuning system around the drum head, allowing you to find the perfect pitch.

Not only that, the tambourine is constructed with a metal frame for added durability.

It also features two rows of jingles, adding complexity and volume to your sound.

With its tambourine construction and quality materials, you can be sure your CP Tunable Tambourine will last you for many performances.

Specialized Tambourines

When it comes to specialized tambourines, the Riq, Pandeiro, and the Layne Redmond Signature Series are the top choices.

The Riq is a traditional Arab tambourine that’s known for its sophisticated build quality. The Remo Riq Tambourine is made with rare materials like shark skin and mother of pearl inlays.

The Pandeiro is a Brazilian tambourine used in Samba and other music styles. The LP Pandeiro offers tunability to set the pitch of the head, and has a hardwood drum shell for a rich and warm sound.

The Layne Redmond Signature Series offers three models: the Riq, Lotus, and Tar-Rine. The Tar-Rine is a traditional Turkish tambourine with the deepest sound.

Signature Tambourines

Building on the specialized tambourines discussed earlier, signature tambourines provide a unique option for musicians who want to stand out with their sound.

Layne Redmond, a famous female drummer, developed her own line of signature tambourines in partnership with Remo. Her book ‘When the Drummers Were Women’ and influence in the music industry are well-known.

Traditional Arab tambourines, known as Riqs, are also making a comeback. They’re made with synthetic materials, like the Remo Riq Tambourine, to replicate the look of older models.

The signature tambourine models include Riq, Lotus, and Tar-Rine, the latter being a traditional Turkish tambourine with the deepest sound.

Signature tambourines offer a unique way for musicians to distinguish themselves with their sound.

Conclusion

So, whether you’re a beginner or a pro, you can find the perfect tambourine for your music!

With options like the Remo Quadura, CP Tunable, and Layne Redmond signature tambourines, you’ll be able to find the perfect sound for your music.

And if you’re a drummer, you can find tambourines specifically designed for drummers.

So don’t wait – go find your perfect tambourine and get ready to rock!

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