How to Play a Tambourine Infinity Roll with Josh Jones
- Nathan Coles
- a few seconds ago
- 3 min read
Seamless Expression, Continuous Motion
Looking for a way to create a seamless, never-ending roll on the tambourine? The infinity roll, also known as the figure eight roll, is a sophisticated technique that allows percussionists to sustain a continuous sound without the physical limitations of a standard thumb or finger roll. By mastering the transition between forward and backward motions, you can achieve a level of musical fluidity that adds incredible depth to your orchestral or solo performances.
Table of Contents
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Meet Your Instructor
Black Swamp Artist, Josh Jones is the Principal Percussionist of the Grant Park Orchestra and an internationally acclaimed soloist. Known for his expressive artistry, Josh has performed as a featured soloist at Carnegie Hall and with major ensembles including the Pittsburgh Symphony and the Kansas City Symphony. Beyond his technical mastery, Josh is a vital voice for equity in the classical music world, working alongside the Black Orchestral Network to improve orchestral tenure processes across the country. His approach to percussion combines high-level orchestral precision with a deep commitment to educational leadership.
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Breaking Down the Tambourine Infinity Roll (Figure Eight Roll)
The tambourine infinity roll is essentially a sustained friction roll that moves in a continuous figure-eight or circular pattern. Most students begin a roll with a thumb or finger and simply run out of room at the edge of the head. To execute a true infinity roll, you must learn to navigate the transition from the end of a stroke back to the beginning without the friction breaking.
The trick is not just in the speed of the finger, but in the path the finger takes. By treating the roll as a continuous loop rather than a line, you remove the "restarting" sound that often plagues student performances.
Pick Your Path
To execute this correctly, think of your finger path as a letter "C" or "U" rather than a straight line. By curving the stroke, you prepare the hand for the change in direction.
Start Bold: When first practicing, make your turns drastic. It helps to exaggeratedly curve the hand to feel where the friction remains constant.
Refine: As you become more comfortable, the movement will naturally become more compact. You don't need a massive physical gesture to keep the jingles moving; you just need enough of a turn to keep the momentum alive.
The Role of the Holding Hand
One of the most nuanced insights provided in this tutorial is the role of the holding hand. While your dominant hand is doing the rolling, your other hand should not remain static.
By subtly moving the tambourine in opposition to your rolling finger, you can create a more ergonomic path. For example, as your finger moves toward the top of the head, tilting or shifting the tambourine slightly can make the transition back downward much smoother. This reduces the strain on your rolling arm and allows for a more consistent sound over long periods of duration.
Gear Tour
For a technique as sensitive as the tambourine infinity roll, the equipment is just as important as the hand motion.
The Instrument: Josh often utilizes Black Swamp concert tambourines with calfskin heads. The natural texture of the skin provides the necessary resistance for a friction roll.
Head Preparation: A light application of beeswax or soy wax on the outer edge of the head is vital. This creates the "grip" needed for the finger to vibrate the jingles consistently. Read our tambourine wax tutorial, here.
Student Action Plan
To integrate this technique into your playing, follow these steps:
Isolate the Turn: Spend five minutes practicing just the "U-turn" at the end of a standard roll. Do not worry about the sound at first; focus on the physical path of the finger.
Backwards Practice: Try to roll moving exclusively in the "unnatural" direction (toward yourself)
Incorporate the Holding Hand: Practice the figure-eight motion while slowly rotating the tambourine frame with your holding hand. Observe how it changes the tension in your forearm.
Listen for the Break: Record yourself. Can you hear where the finger turns? If so, the turn needs to be smoother or the holding hand needs to provide more assistance.
The goal of the tambourine infinity roll is to create a sound that feels as though it has no beginning and no end. By focusing on the shape of your stroke and the cooperation of your hands, you move from being a technician to a true musician.