Tambour (guitar technique)
Encyclopedia
Tambour is a technique used in Flamenco guitar
and classical guitar
which is designed to emulate the sound of a snare drum (Span. tambor). It is achieved by using a flat part of the hand, usually the side of the outstretched right thumb, or also the edge of the palm below the little finger, and sounding the strings by striking them rapidly just inside the bridge of the guitar. If performed incorrectly, the effect is similar to a right-hand apagado, or dampening of the strings.
An example of tambour in popular music can be heard at the beginning of the second verse of "Your Time Is Gonna Come" by Led Zeppelin
.
Both tambour and pizzicato can be heard in Aconquija by Barrios.
Variation in tone can be achieved by striking different distances from the bridge and using different parts of the thumb (especially fleshy vs. bony parts).
Variation in chord texture can be achieved by selecting different strings to strike.
Flamenco guitar
A flamenco guitar is a guitar similar to a classical guitar. Flamenco guitar also refers to toque, the guitar-playing part of the art of Flamenco.-Brief history:...
and classical guitar
Classical guitar
The classical guitar is a 6-stringed plucked string instrument from the family of instruments called chordophones...
which is designed to emulate the sound of a snare drum (Span. tambor). It is achieved by using a flat part of the hand, usually the side of the outstretched right thumb, or also the edge of the palm below the little finger, and sounding the strings by striking them rapidly just inside the bridge of the guitar. If performed incorrectly, the effect is similar to a right-hand apagado, or dampening of the strings.
An example of tambour in popular music can be heard at the beginning of the second verse of "Your Time Is Gonna Come" by Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
.
Both tambour and pizzicato can be heard in Aconquija by Barrios.
Technique
- Stretch out the thumb
- Rotate hand and wrist rapidly, causing the side of the thumb to strike the strings.
Variation in tone can be achieved by striking different distances from the bridge and using different parts of the thumb (especially fleshy vs. bony parts).
Variation in chord texture can be achieved by selecting different strings to strike.