Tambourine - Red, single row, nickel jingles Rhythm Tech Tambourine

RT1230: Red, single row, nickel jingles Rhythm Tech Tambourine

Did you know that Tambourines are percussion instruments that are among the most ancient of all musical instruments? Tambourine means "to hit against." The tambourine is found in numerous ancient cultures including the great empires of Rome, India, China, Greece and Mesopotamia. It is likely that the Crusaders used them for dance and celebration; it subsequently gained popularity among traveling minstrels.

Biblical stories feature tambourine prominently. For example in the book of Exodus, Miriam, who was Moses older sister, played the tambourine to celebrate the Israelites finally exiting from Egypt. It represents joy and jubilation! The tambourine continues to be played during times of celebration such as weddings and births, military victories and religious ecstasies. Other names for the tambourine are timbrel, tabret, tof, to name a few. Many tambourines are decorated for specific celebrations before they are played.

Religious ceremonies, singing and dancing, still dominate Tambourines use today. But, tambourines are used in all forms of music and the instrument gained a strong following as a popular folk music instrument during the 1960s. Bob Dylan wrote the song "Mr. Tambourine Man" in 1964 and the song became a major radio hit for the band, The Byrds.

Even Mozart used the tambourine in his compositions. But one of the very popular uses of the tambourine is the Salvation Army, who began to use it at the end of the nineteenth century. Its frequent use once again allowed it take its rightful place as an instrument of praise, worship, and welfare in the church. The Salvation Army were also the first to form timbrel brigades, often of young people, devoted to learning and playing the timbrel, especially during outreaches. We have all kinds of tambourines. Wood, metal, plastic, all shapes, even fish shaped. Please check out our large selection.