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What kind of instrument is a cajon?

What kind of instrument is a cajon?

percussion instrument
A cajón (Spanish: [kaˈxon]; “box”, “crate” or “drawer”) is a box-shaped percussion instrument originally from Peru, played by slapping the front or rear faces (generally thin plywood) with the hands, fingers, or sometimes implements such as brushes, mallets, or sticks.

Why is it called a cajon?

The cajon has been, since the 19th century, a key component in traditional Afro-Peruvian music. Named with the Spanish word for “box,” the cajon was first invented to replace the African drums used by slaves in colonial Peru, which were eventually banned by the slaves’ masters.

What were the very first cajons made from?

The cajon is believed to have originated in Peru when the African slaves, brought to Peru from Angola, began using fruit crates as percussion instruments. Displaced from their homeland, the African slaves substituted cod shipping crates for their native drums.

Is a cajon a drum?

In its earliest forms, the cajon was simply a box consisting of five thick, wooden sides, and a thinner, sixth side which served as a striking surface. In recent decades, the drum has become standard in flamenco music, and is also being used more and more in folk, jazz, rock, and blues musics.

Is cajon a good instrument?

While the cajon is excellent at creating surprisingly loud and crisp percussion, take some time to understand the different tones that can be utilized while playing. Even though you don’t have a bass drum, snare, or high hat, it does not mean that you are completely limited.

Can a cajon replace a drum kit?

Playing Cajon with your hand is already awesome enough to be a strong replacement for a drum kit, but adding a variety of extensions to a Cajon set allows you to create a wide variety of rhythmic sounds in a band.

How many strings are on a sarod?

The modern version has four to six main melodic strings, plus two to four others; some of the strings may be paired in double courses tuned in unison or at the octave. In addition, there are sympathetic and drone strings. The seated player holds the instrument across his lap.

Is cajon difficult to learn?

The cajon is a very practical instrument, it’s portable, doesn’t take up much space and is relatively easy to learn, so the barrier to entry is low. You can play seated, and after learning the basic snare (upper edge) and bass sounds (middle), the first simple rhythms are well on their way.

How are cajons made?

Generally, a cajon is made of two different thicknesses of wood, thinner for the striking surface and slightly thicker for the rest of the instrument. Use 1/8 inch plywood for the tapa. The tapa is the striking surface of the instrument, and you’ll generally use a piece sized 13 inch by 19 inch for most cajons.

Can you play a cajon with drumsticks?

Using the Cajon drumsticks is convenient because they can be kept in the saddle pockets for easy reach. So you can have a creative performance combining the use of your hands and drumsticks to beat the Cajon. Drumsticks for the Cajon were introduced for people who would rather not use their hands to beat the Cajon.

How much does a good cajon cost?

The price of cajons is usually dependent on the features and the material used to build them. You can buy low-end cajons for between $70 and $150.

Is cajon difficult to play?