HOLDING THE PANDEIRO
For right-handed players the pandeiro is held in the left hand using thumb and middle finger to muffle the sound. The pandeiro should be kept in an horizontal position. Fingers, thumb and heel of the right hand are used to play the strokes.

FUNDAMENTAL STROKES

RIGHT HAND

THUMB STROKE
With the thumb of the right hand extended strike hardly the head about 2 inches from the rim and let the thumb rebound off the head to have a tone sustained. Use forearm and wrist and keep them relaxed while playing.

The stroke can be either "open" or "closed" depending on your left hand (see images below).

FINGER TIPS STROKE
Strike the pandeiro with the first, second, third finger tips in the upper right of the head to produce a sharp sound. Use a wrist motion from the Thumb Stroke above.

HEEL STROKE
From the Finger Tips Stroke rock the hand downward and strike the head with the heel of the hand.

SLAP
The right hand simply slaps the head with the full flat hand obtaining a sharp sound with no ring.

LEFTT HAND

The middle finger of the left hand is used to control open and closed tones.

For open tones keep the middle finger off the head allowing the head to produce a sound.

 

 

For closed tones touch the head with your left hand middle finger to obtain a muffled sound.

 

The thumb of the left hand can also be used to mute and release from the top of the head.

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To view key notation click here