tamborim

Tamborim is a small Brazilian percussion instrument, a high-pitched frame drum used mainly in samba and related genres. It features a circular shell with a single drumhead stretched tightly over one opening, and a bright, piercing tone that cuts through other percussion. The shell is commonly made of metal, such as steel or aluminum, though wooden versions exist; the head is usually synthetic today, and the overall diameter is typically around 12 to 15 centimeters (about 5 to 6 inches).

The tamborim is typically played with a thin wooden stick or beater, known as a baqueta, struck against the drumhead or near the edge to produce a sharp, staccato sound. In many samba ensembles, one hand also mutely taps the rim or the shell to create additional accents. The instrument is renowned for its rapid, intricate patterns, often played in fast 16th-note rhythms and featuring syncopated accents that propel the groove. Some players use two sticks or alternate hands to sustain the rapid tempo, while others rely on a combination of strikes and muted taps for texture.

Historically, the tamborim rose to prominence in Rio de Janeiro’s samba schools during the 20th century and became a staple of Carnival percussion sections. It is now a common element in Brazilian popular music beyond samba, valued for its bright timbre and rhythmic propulsion. Variations in size and construction reflect regional preferences and performance contexts, but the instrument’s core characteristics remain a single-head, small frame drum with a distinctive, high-pitched voice.