How to Play Tambourine with Two Hands: A Smarter Setup for Fast, Controlled Playing
- Nathan Coles
- May 6
- 4 min read
The trick to smooth, two-hand tambourine technique starts before you ever strike a note.
Getting clean, articulate tambourine passages isn’t about playing harder—it’s about playing smarter. Whether you’re prepping for an orchestral excerpt, a wind ensemble part, or a solo performance, learning how to play tambourine with control and musicality starts with how you set it up.
In this lesson, professional percussionist and educator, Keith Aleo shares a deceptively simple but powerful method that unlocks fast, reliable playing with two hands—plus a bonus tip for achieving a soft, dry sound when needed.
Let’s break it down.
Table of Contents
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Meet Your Instructor
Keith Aleo is a leading voice in percussion education and performance. With a career spanning the concert stage, classroom, and industry, Keith has worked with organizations like the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, while holding faculty positions at institutions including the University of Michigan, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and Interlochen Arts Academy.
He currently serves as the Director of Percussion at the Interlochen Center for the Arts, where he mentors young percussionists on musicality, technique, and career development. Keith is also the Director of Percussion at the Atlantic Music Festival and has led masterclasses and clinics around the globe.
In short: if you’re learning how to play tambourine (or any percussion instrument) with more skill and musicality, you’re in good hands.
Why Setup Matters in Learning How to Play Tambourine
Many students try to muscle their way through fast tambourine parts. They end up gripping too tight, moving too much, or relying on a stand or mount to do the work for them. The result? Sloppy rhythms, uncontrolled jingles, and a sound that doesn’t fit the music.
What Keith demonstrates in this lesson is that your body can be your best stabilizer. A tambourine that’s gently locked in by your leg and stomach creates a secure, resonant platform—letting your hands move freely and evenly. It’s a game-changer for anyone learning how to play tambourine cleanly at faster tempos.
Anchoring the Tambourine: Keith’s Two-Hand Technique
To play fast, articulate rhythms on tambourine with two hands, you need a setup that prevents wobble, bounce, or excess jingle. Here’s how Keith locks things in:
Prop up your leg so you have level playing surface to place your tambourine.
Rest the tambourine on your leg, with the shell of the instrument close to your torso.
Use your stomach—yes, your core!—to gently brace the top edge of the tambourine and hold it in place.
With the tambourine anchored, alternate between hands using a relaxed “Pac-Man” shape or light fist taps for rhythmic clarity.
Pro Insight: “This is why I ate so much pasta in my life,” 🍝 Keith jokes—emphasizing that you don’t need brute strength. Just smart positioning.
How to Play Tambourine Softly with Two Hands
There’s another variation of this two-hand approach, perfect for soft, dry playing where you still need speed.
Here’s how to do it:
Prop your leg up using a stool or chair. This raises your thigh and creates a flatter angle.
Balance the tambourine gently on your thigh.
Rest your palms lightly on the tambourine head.
Peck the edge of the tambourine using your fingertips in a “Pac-Man” shape. The motion is minimal and controlled.
Why it works:
This setup lets you achieve a short, crisp sound without unwanted jingle wash. Perfect for exposed passages in softer dynamics where clarity still matters.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Letting the tambourine bounce around: Secure it with your leg and stomach or your elevated thigh.
Overplaying: Even in fast passages, you’re aiming for finesse, not volume.
Neglecting dynamics: Two-hand playing isn’t just for loud sections—use both versions of this technique to serve the music.
Ignoring your body position: Adjust chair height or angle to find a natural balance.
Student Action Plan
If you’re serious about learning how to play tambourine more musically and with control, here’s your action plan:
Practice anchoring the tambourine with your stomach and leg without playing.
Try slow alternating strokes with two hands using the “Pac-Man” hand shape.
Record yourself to listen for evenness and control.
Switch to the soft version using the elevated leg and fingertip pecks.
Apply both approaches to repertoire
Ask your teacher or section leader for feedback on your tambourine sound and placement.
Gear Tour: Keith’s Setup & Why It Works
Keith is using a Black Swamp SoundArt TD1S Tambourine, an instrument a durable head and crisp, responsive jingles. While the technique will work on most tambourines, his instrument helps ensure:
Even jingle response: The Chromium 25 jingles are dry and crunchy
Durability: The synthetic head of this tambourine ensures proper tension, even in extreme climates.
Articulate tone: In both loud and soft settings, Chromium 25 is our most popular jingle type.
If you’re struggling to get a good sound, keep practicing! If you're still struggling, consider looking for a tambourine that responds well to subtle input, like the TD1S Keith is using.
Reflect & Respond
There’s more than one way to learn how to play tambourine well. But as Keith Aleo shows, the key to success is musical intention, smart setup, and control through positioning. Whether you’re prepping for an audition or just trying to level up your fundamentals, think beyond hands and think whole-body technique.
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