pandeiro

The pandeiro is a hand percussion instrument in the frame drum family, widely used in Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking cultures. It consists of a circular frame, typically made of wood or plastic, with a membrane head (animal skin or synthetic) stretched over the frame. Around the rim is a ring of metal jingles, called platinelas, which produce a shimmering accompaniment when the drum is played. Some models have a second head or additional rings of jingles.

Size typically ranges from about 18 to 25 centimeters in diameter. The head is usually tautened by lacing or a modern tensioning system with metal lugs. The frame may be wooden or synthetic, and the jingles may vary in number and weight, producing different brightness and sustain. Some regional variants include double heads or extra rings for a fuller sound.

Playing technique centers on striking the head with the fingers and palm of one hand to produce the main tone, while the other hand or wrist taps the rim or brushes the skin to mute or accent. The jingles are activated by a loose wrist motion, producing a characteristic shimmer that accompanies the drum’s tone. Players often switch between dry, crisp strokes and fuller, accented hits to shape rhythms.

In Brazilian music, the pandeiro plays a central role in samba, choro, and capoeira ensembles, and is also found in forró, baião, and other folk styles. The instrument has a long history in the region, evolving from tambourines used in Europe and North Africa and becoming a defining feature of samba percussion. Notable players include João do Pandeiro and other regional virtuosos.