Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 21, 2026

Headless tambourine

The headless tambourine differs from the standard tambourine by not having a drumhead. It is called "headless" because it lacks the drumhead, that is, the skin stretched over one side of the ring in a traditional tambourine. It produces a rhythmic jingling sound or a shake roll.

Last revised
Jul 21, 2026
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Rhythm Tech headless tambourine source ↗
The sound of a headless tambourine.

The headless tambourine differs from the standard tambourine by not having a drumhead. It is called "headless" because it lacks the drumhead, that is, the skin stretched over one side of the ring in a traditional tambourine.1 It produces a rhythmic jingling sound or a shake roll.2

Jazz, pop and rock drummers sometimes mount a headless tambourine in the drum kit.

References

References

  1. Cotton, Maggie (1996). Agogo bells to xylophone: A friendly guide to classroom percussion instruments. London: A & C Black. p. 12. ISBN 9780713643145.
  2. Blatter, Alfred (1997). Instrumentation and orchestration. New York: Schirmer Books. p. 226. ISBN 9780028645704.