Pearl Percussion:
Shakerine, Mini-Shakerine
and Mini-Ganzeiro
By Bart Fermie
As a percussionist,
the possibility of having one instrument which functions in two ways appeals to
me. When I first concepted the Shakerine, my thinking was that 1 + 1 =
2, right? Not exactly, because as this instrument began to develop, I realize
that because of its variety of sounds and all the possible ways it could be played,
the Shakerine was an instrument which added the depth and color of many
cultures – and which would give me musical satisfaction for years to come!
The Shakerine
is part tambourine and part shaker. I named the shaker, 3-D Shaker, because
it has three compartments, filled with iron balls, and is capable of being played
both horizontally and vertically – creating multi-dimensional sound through three-dimensional
movement. The Shakerine, creates the possibility of … future sounds from
a distant past.
The mini-Shakerine
combines the essentials of two of the best known hand percussion instruments;
the shaker and the tambourine.
With just two pairs
of jingles on top of a shaker, the mini-Shakerine produces rich sounds
previously unheared of in my experience. The jingles and the shaker of the mini-Shakerine
blend well, and, with a little practice, it is possible to single out its sound
and play them individually. Adding in the black lid of the shaker to the mix makes
it possible to create even more rythms and sounds. Discover all the varieties
of sounds and ways of playing this innovative, pocket-sized instrument!
The mini-Ganzeiro
is a hybrid of the ganza and the pandeiro. These typical Afro-Brazilian instruments
are the equivalents of the shaker and the tambourine. In creating it, I positioned
two platinellas (pandeiro jingles) on top of the ganza part, with the idea of
capturing these two charismatic sounds in one compact instrument. The caxixi,
a basket shaker with a gourd bottom, is an instrument hidden within the mini-Ganzeiro.
The black lid of the ganza part adds in caxixi-like sounds to your playing.
Drummers, in need
of a percussive intro or interlude? Pick up the mini-Shakerine or the mini-Ganzeiro
and get all the right sounds using just one hand.
Enjoy!
These instruments
have materialized with the help of John van der Meulen, the percussion craftsman
of Pearl Percussion. Chris Langerhorst assisted with building the
Shakerine prototype. Thanks to both of you!
Mini-Shakerine, Shakerine, and Mini-Ganzeiro Suggested Techniques
The
Mini-Shakerine
Technique #1: Shake and (gently) Hit your hand on either side of
the instrument to create an exciting jingles sound.
 
Technique #2: Shake and Tilt or turn to get a darker sound (like a caxixi)
from the lid that closes the shaker.
Technique #3: Shake and Hold/Release the jingles to go back and forth between
just a shaker sound and a shaker/jingle sound.
The Shakerine
When played
horizontally, three distinct basic sounds will be heard.
Technique #4: Jingles Up. Shaking and sounding both the jingles and the
3-D Shaker with the tambourine part up.
Technique #5: Jingles in Front. The 3-D Shaker will produce an exotic
jingle on nail sound when the tambourine part is held in front.
Technique #6: 3-D Shaker only. When you turn your hand 90 degrees, with
your thumb facing you, another 3-D Shaker sound will reveal itself.
Holding the
Shakerine vertically, three different basic sounds will occur when played
as followed:
Technique #7: Shaking left to right and right to left will give a great
mix of both the Shaker and the tambourine parts.
Technique #8: Tambourine Technique. When shaking in an X-like configuration
with one hand, the tambourine technique enables you to hit the instrument with
the other hand – creating dynamic accents.
Technique #9: Pivot the wrist and you’ll get a tambourine sound with just
a touch of the 3-D Shaker.
The Mini-Ganzeiro
Technique #10: Shake and Rotate at the same time to create a sizzle with
a tripplet feel.
Technique #11: Shake and Tap the platinellas to create a castanette-like
sound that mixes well in North Africa, Cuban and Spanish music.
Technique #12: Shake and Tilt Combo. Use two mini-Ganzeiros, playing
combinations of technique #2.
See the Pearl Percussion effects &
accessories line including the Shakerine, Mini-Shakerine and Mini-Ganzeiro
Also see:
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