castanets Music information, history and anagrams

Castanets are a percussion instrument, much used in Moorish (Northern Africa), Roma , Spanish and Latin American music. The instrument consists of a pair of concave shells joined on one edge by string. Castanets can be square, rectangular, oval, round, triangular or even pear-shaped. These are held in the hand and used to produce clicks for rhythmic accents or a ripping or rattling sound consisting of a rapid series of clicks. They are traditionally made of hardwood, although fibreglass is becoming increasingly popular.

The player usually uses two pairs of castanets. One pair is held in each hand, with the string hooked over the thumb and the castanets resting on the palm with the fingers bent over to support the other side. Each pair will make a sound of a slightly different pitch. The higher pair, known as hembra female, is usually held in the right hand, with the larger macho male pair held in the left.

Castanets are regulary played by singers or dancers, and are prominently used in flamenco music. The name castañuelas is derived from the diminutive form of castaña, the Spanish word for chestnut, which they resemble. In Andalusia they are usually referred to as palillos instead, and this is the name by which they are known in flamenco.

The origins of the instrument are not known. The practice of clicking han- held sticks together to accompany dancing is ancient, and was practiced by both the Greeks and the Egyptians. In more modern times, the bones and spoons used in Minstrel show and jug band music can also be considered forms of the castanet.

Spanish castanets resemble more sea shells than their Greek counterparts and are bound together by a cord put through some holes in each half.

Spanish castanet makers experimented with materials for better sonority and the requirements of dancers and musicians. Eventually the addition of castanet "ears" allowed attachment to the thumb and with it the development of a skilled finger technique to play them.

During the baroque period castanets featured prominently in dances.

Some companies make plastic toy versions with kazoos.

Picture of the instrument