Cajon

by King on Fri, 08/22/2008 - 14:47

Cajon -A cajón (pronounced /ka'xɔn/) (plural: Cajones; not cajons) (Spanish for 'crate', 'drawer', or 'box') is a kind of box drum played by slapping the front face (generally thin plywood) with the hands.

Slaves of West and Central African origin in the Americas, specifically Peru, are considered to be the source of the cajón drum; though the instrument is common in musical performance throughout the Americas, especially Cuba. In Cuba, the cajón is associated with the Afro-Cuban drum/song/dance style known as rumba, while in Peru it is associated with several Afro-Peruvian genres.

Half to three quarter inch thick wood was generally used for five sides of the box. A thin sheet of plywood was nailed on as the sixth side and acted as the striking surface or head. A sound hole was cut on the back side opposite the head or tapa.
The top edges were often left unattached and could be slapped against the box. The player sat astride the box, tilting it at an angle while striking the head between his knees.

The modern cajón has several screws at the top for adjusting percussive timbre and may sport rubber feet. Some versions may also have several vertically stretched cords pressed against the tapa for a buzz like effect or tone. Guitar strings, rattles or drum snares may serve this purpose. The percussionist can play the sides with the top of his palms and fingers for additional sounds. There are also tube cajón, which are played like a conga.

Cadence...

Castanets...

Drummer Comments

Thu, 04/16/2009 - 21:50

flamdunk

flamdunk says: The Cajon

Hello from Wartrace, Tennessee. My name is Billy C. I get the drumming mags from several companys. In viewing the mags and looking at all the new instruments.
The Cajon got my attention. I says what in the -=_ell is that. Thanks for the discreption. would like to try one. I am a percussionist, and that is a new drum to me.
Billy C.

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