tambourine

The tambourine is a handheld percussion instrument in the idiophone family. It typically consists of a circular or oval frame made of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal discs called jingles or zils mounted around the rim. Some versions have a shallow drumhead stretched across the frame, while others are headless and rely on the frame and jingles for sound. The instrument is usually held in one hand.

Playing methods vary by style. It can be struck against the palm, the edge of the hand, or the drumhead; the other hand or fingers may dampen the sound to control sustain. Shaking the instrument makes the jingles rattle, while tapping the head or rim produces accents. Technique ranges from soft, delicate accompaniment to sharp, rhythmic punctuation in many genres.

History and variation. The tambourine has ancient roots in the Middle East and the Mediterranean, appearing in Egyptian, Greek, and Roman culture. It spread through Europe in medieval and Renaissance periods and became common in folk, sacred, and theatrical music. In the 18th and 19th centuries it gained a place in orchestral music as a rhythm accent, and the 20th century saw its widespread use in popular, folk, gospel, and world music.

Variants and related instruments. Regional forms include the Arabic riq, which uses a skin head and extended playing techniques, and the Brazilian pandeiro, a head-and-jingles frame drum with a distinctive tone. Modern tambourines may feature multiple rows of jingles or synthetic heads, broadening their tonal possibilities.