Meinl FC2 Concert Finger Castanets

Allmänt

Meinl made these castanets out of rosewood, so that they produce a beautifully rich sound. You slip the cord around your thumb, and rest the shells in the palm of your hand. By opening and closing your hand, the two halves hit each other, allowing you to play impressive rhythms after just a bit of practice.

Castanets

These castanets are sold as a pair. One of the two castanets has a lower pitch than the other: this one is called the male or 'maschio' castanet, and is usually played in your right hand. The female castanet, or 'femmina', is played with your left hand, and has a slightly higher pitch. Castanets are most often used by singers and dancers in the Flamenco scene. Their name (Spanish: castañuelas) derives form the Spanish word for chestnut, castaña, as they have a very similar shape. However, in Andalusia, the region in Spain where Flamenco music originated, they are called 'palillos'.