Joyful Noise - Cajon Boxes
When bands strip down to living room acoustics, it's not always practical to bring along drum sets. What's a percussionist to do? We usually see them seated to one side. Sometimes they clap out the basic rhythm or play it out on another instrument or use very old street musician's widgets and tricks the way Jano Rix of The Wood Brothers does here:
Then there are acoustic performances like these from Luminate and Imagine Dragons. What are Aaron Matthew and Daniel Platzman using in place of their usual setups in these videos?
Meet the Cajon Peruano (known in the US and Canada as Cajon Boxes. This instrument has its roots in eighteenth Century Afro-Peruvian diaspora. These became a mainstay in street music as well as gatherings of marginalized people in Peru.
The traditional cajon box is approximately two and half to three feet high. The outer material is usually birch wood. The interior is part of what makes these mysterious looking musical micro-monoliths so fascinating.
The traditional cajon box is approximately two and half to three feet high. The outer material is usually birch wood. The interior is part of what makes these mysterious looking musical micro-monoliths so fascinating.
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The one shown above is modern. The same kind of snares you might find on the underside of a field drum is what adds spice to each beat. In the past, improvised snares, shells, and beads might have provided the buzz.
This is not, however, the only form a cajon box can take. Some forms of this drum are constructed as small, round sealed handheld instruments known as "rain drums" or "ocean drums." They are filled with free-rolling beads that make a wave-like sound. There are also smaller and even more portable cajons like this one:
This is not, however, the only form a cajon box can take. Some forms of this drum are constructed as small, round sealed handheld instruments known as "rain drums" or "ocean drums." They are filled with free-rolling beads that make a wave-like sound. There are also smaller and even more portable cajons like this one:
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This is my cajon box. It is roughly a foot high and made of the traditional birch wood. Yes, it is a Temu cheapie and I love it.* It sounds just like a traditional snare. What gives it so much buzzy mojo? The secret is in the removable wooden bar at the top. On the underside is a snare. Want a flatter "bomp" or a sharp, staccato flat tap? Just slip off the snare. It also comes with a carrying strap. This is the drum version of dresses with pockets! So far, I've only played it at home. It speaks life into my own music.
So the next time you see someone beating out the rhythm to a song when there's no set in sight, you'll know they're not abusing Mama's furniture or getting all folksy on a produce crate. That plain wooden box is a complex instrument and they're making it sing.
*Temu is a great place to buy for less and try out instruments. Yes, Ludwig and others make expensive, beautiful instruments. Sometimes it's worth the smaller initial investment to see if this is something that sits you. FWIW, this drum is a keeper.
So the next time you see someone beating out the rhythm to a song when there's no set in sight, you'll know they're not abusing Mama's furniture or getting all folksy on a produce crate. That plain wooden box is a complex instrument and they're making it sing.
*Temu is a great place to buy for less and try out instruments. Yes, Ludwig and others make expensive, beautiful instruments. Sometimes it's worth the smaller initial investment to see if this is something that sits you. FWIW, this drum is a keeper.