Pandeiro

This very popular typical Brazilian Bell Drum is mostly heard in Samba and Capoeira, the fighting game of Brazil. Its origin is in the Arabian area though. In a solid frame made of plastic or wood there are a couple of flat metal plates fixed in pairs, whose size and quality fundamentally influence the sound. The tightly stretched skin is either animal or plastic skin. The experienced musician produces the typical tips and slaps with the help of the thumb and the ball of the hand. Like the tambourine, the pandeiro is held in one hand and struck on the head with the other to produce sound. Typical pandeiro patterns are played by alternating the thumb, fingertips, heel, and palm of the hand. A pandeiro can also be shaken to make sound, or one can run a finger along the head to create a rasping sound.