History of the Cajon
The cajon is believed to have originated in Peru when the African slaves, brought to Peru from Angola, began using fruit crates as percussion instruments. Displaced from their homeland, the African slaves substituted cod shipping crates for their native drums.
In Cuba, small dresser drawers were used for the same purpose. The instrument was refined and became an important part of Cuban and Peruvian music. Early usage of the Peruvian cajon was to accompany Tondero and Zamacueca (old version of Marinera) dances. Tapping knuckles on wooden tables may be considered a predecessor to the cajon.
Three quarter inch pine or other white wood was generally used for five sides of the box. A thin sheet of plywood was nailed on as the sixth side and acted as the head or striking surface. The top edges were often left unattached and could be slapped against the box. A sound hole was cut in the side opposing the head. The player sat on the box striking the head between his legs. The modern cajon drum has several screws at the top for adjusting percussive timbre and may sport rubber feet. Some versions may also have several vertically stretched cords pressed against the tapa for a buzz like effect or tone.
Today, the cajon is heard extensively in Andean, Cuban, and Flamenco music. It's steadily gaining popularity in all types of contemporary music and has become a favorite for "unplugged" sessions and is often used to accompany the acoustic guitar.
Recent Posts
-
5 Reasons Why Bougarabou Should Be Your Next Musical Instrument
Introduction to Bougarabou Bougarabou is a traditional African drum known for its deep and resonan …16th Mar 2024 -
Finding Your Rhythm: The Therapeutic Benefits of Percussion in Fighting Depression
Introduction to using percussion for mental health Using percussion as a form of therapy can be be …10th Mar 2024 -
Beginner's Guide to Playing the Djembe Drum: Techniques and Tips
What is a Djembe Drum? The djembe drum is a West African drum shaped like a goblet and traditional …3rd Mar 2024