Castanets are used as a rhythmic accompaniment to dance. They are made of ebony, rosewood and other hardwoods. By the way, contrary to popular belief, the birthplace of the castanet is not Spain, but Ancient Egypt, since it was there that you could meet the prototypes of modern castanets. From the 6th century BC, Greek frescoes began to depict dancing women holding krotalo (from the Spanish crotalo - “rattle”, “rattle”), which resembled long wooden castanets. Playing castanets is easy.
Instruction manual
1
There are two main styles of playing the castanets - classic and folk. Playing in the classical style, the musician attaches the castanets to the thumbs of both hands with a cord, which fastens the two halves of the musical instrument. In the right hand you should hold the castanet, which sounds brighter and higher (it is called hembra). The second, which is held in the left hand, is called macho. It is customary to play four fingers with the right hand on the castanet (index, middle, nameless, little fingers), which, like mallets, extract quick trills (or carretillas) along the outer half of the castanet. The left hand emphasizes the rhythm, with the help of individual notes (golpes).
2
Playing in a folk style, the musician usually uses castanets lower in sound and larger. Such castanets are attached to one or more fingers with laces. Under the influence of the movement of the brush, the instrument halves hit the palm and produce a loud jerky sound, which differs from the sound when playing in the classical way.
3
According to the classical school, when playing castanets, you can extract five different sounds (ta, pi, pan, chim, ria), which differ in timbre. With their help, with skillful play, you can create many beautiful rhythmic patterns.
4
Pick up castanets and practice - hit the castanets with each finger in turn (starting with the little finger) and gradually increase the rhythm. Try to make every sound you make clear. When playing the castanet with your left hand, simultaneously strike with the middle, ring fingers and little finger. The rhythm with which you can begin training, remove with the fingers of your right hand, and end it with one note on the "left" castanet. Try to achieve a fast pace, alternate the game of the right and left hands. It is sometimes allowed to hit castanets against each other.
