Introduction
Without music, life lacks purpose, just as without rhythm, music is empty of its true meaning. The importance of music to mankind today is becoming more and more clear. It is a powerful rescuer.
Vocal and instrumental music has never previously had such a strong public support. A specific therapeutic quality of drumming is noteworthy. A cathartic experience may be had by playing the drums, which helps to let pent-up rage and fury out.
The use of a standard drum set is simply one aspect of drumming, though. Cajon drums‘ attraction enters the picture at this point. The musical experience is made special by these drums. Check out our review below to learn more about the best Cajon drums India has to offer.
What Are Cajon Drums?
Get prepared to be astonished if you’ve never heard of Cajon drums. An ordinary wooden box drum that may be played by hand is a cajon. It’s interesting to note that the word “Cajon” comes from the Spanish word “caja,” which implies a box drum or case.
Think of a four to six-surfaced wooden box drum. Imagine a sound hole on one of the surfaces and guitar or snare strings within the box drum. A Cajon drum looks just like that. Cajon drums are typically 18 inches high and 12 inches broad.
Hardwoods including redwood, ash, cedarwood, and applewood, as well as birch, pine, and walnut, are used to make cajon drums. The beats are produced using tapa, a thin plywood sheet.
An interesting aspect of Cajon drumming is how the artist uses their hands or other accessories to create the hypnotic beats while seated on top of the Cajon drums. It’s a unique and comprehensive musical experience!
What is the Cajon’s History?
The cajon was first mentioned in writing in the middle of the 19th century, although it has more than 200 years of history in Peru. African slaves started looking for alternate ways to make percussion because they could not play the drums at the time. It’s possible that the oldest cajon was once a fruit container.
The cajon, as we know it now, was first made popular in Europe by famed Spanish flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia in the late 1970s. At that time, the wooden box drum had developed into a popular instrument for performers.
Cajons saw a sharp increase in popularity in the 1990s as “MTV Unplugged” gained more and more viewers, solidifying its status as a beloved percussion instrument.
Several Cajon Drum Types
Did you know that the term “drum boxes” is occasionally used to describe Cajon drums? This intriguing instrument has Afro-Peruvian cultural roots. Even though music was prohibited during the time of slavery, West Africans discovered a means to make music by using wooden shipping crates. The Cajon drum was created when they used their hands or fingers to tap on the wooden surfaces. This percussion instrument eventually found its way into rumba, flamenco, and several other musical genres.
Let’s examine the different common Cajon drum varieties:
- Peruvian Cajon: Adhering closely to the original design, there are no internal snares in the Peruvian Cajon. It has a soundhole and resembles a hollow wooden box drum. To make up for the lack of snares, it is sometimes played in pairs.
- Flamenco Cajon: The empty inside of this percussion box contains guitar strings used as snares. These strings can be set straight or diagonally, and some variations may be equipped with bells to provide a characteristic buzz to the sound.
- Snare Cajon: The Snare Cajon provides a broader variety of sounds since standard drum snares are placed within the hollow area. The instrument can mimic the sound of a conventional drum set thanks to the detachable snares.
- Cuban Cajon: Featuring four sides and a square top surface with a soundhole, the Cuban Cajon provides enhanced resonance during play. Depending on the size, it can be categorized as Tumba, Conga, or Quinto.
- Slap-Top Cajon: Resembling the letter ‘T’, this Cajon drum is balanced between the drummer’s thighs with a flat, horizontal playing surface. It features two sound holes, projecting the sound outward.
- Bongo Cajon: Named for its resemblance to Bongos, this drum consists of two smaller Cuban Cajon drums connected together. The combination of rectangular/trapezoid shapes and square/octagonal ‘tapa’ offers a variety of pitches and tones.
- Tube Cajon: An accessory rather than a standalone Cajon, it attaches to the soundhole of a Cajon to amplify the bass tones and provide better separation of snare and bass sounds.
- Bata Cajon: This double-surfaced Cajon is placed on the musician’s lap. While earlier versions had animal hide surfaces, modern ones use wood, offering various pitches and tones.
- Acrylic cajones: Popular among traveling musicians due to its durability, this cajones sound may not be as rich as traditional wooden varieties. To compensate, the ‘tapa’ (playing surface) is made of wood, making it slightly more expensive.
- Dual cajones: A combination of snared and snareless Cajons, this type features a soundhole on the side, allowing drummers to play on both the front and rear surfaces. One of the plates contains snare wires/mesh.
- Electro-Acoustic cajones: Usually made from Flamenco Cajons, this version has an integrated amplifier and battery that makes it simple for performers to switch between electric and acoustic tones. For even more convenience, you may plug it into an electrical outlet.
These various types of Cajon drums offer unique sounds and playing experiences, making them popular choices among musicians and enthusiasts alike.
How Cajon Drums Are Crafted:
Cajon drums may appear to be a familiar instrument to you, but there is much more to its design than meets the eye. The fundamental approach is the same whether the cajon drum is rectangular, square, trapezoidal, hexagonal, or octagonal.
The “tapa,” or playing surface, of a cajon box drum is often composed of 1/8-inch-thick plywood, while the other sides are frequently made of solid wood that is 1/2 inch thick. Nevertheless, depending on the design and type of wood used, this may change.
Step-by-step creation of Cajon Drums manually
The size of cajon drums, which are normally constructed of wood and measure between 18 and 19 inches across, varies. These woods include rubberwood, birch, pine, walnut, oak, mahogany, rosewood, apple, maple, and ash.
The initial steps involve precise measurements, where the cajon box creator cuts the wood using a metal clamping ruler and tools like a jigsaw or circular saw. In most cases, a 12cm diameter hole is cut into the rear piece to serve as the soundhole, except for slap-top or Cuban cajon boxes.
The wooden pieces are assembled using wood glue and secured with carpentry clamps, bolts, or wood screws. Snares or guitar strings are added beneath the tapa surface to produce the distinctive cajon box sound, and the tapa is then affixed in place.
Next, stability is ensured by attaching legs or stands to the bottom of the cajon box . Provisions are made for attaching amps, microphones, and snare adjustment knobs for added versatility.
To achieve a smooth finish, the maker sands all the surfaces, and some brands opt to round the corners for enhanced musician comfort. Additionally, some Cajon drums come with provisions for attaching a cajon box saddle on top. Finally, the cajon box is adorned or painted to give it a glossy and visually appealing appearance.
Essential Accessories for Maintaining Your Cajon Drum
The Cajon drum, a wooden percussion box drum , requires regular care to ensure optimal performance and sound quality. Proper maintenance is key to keeping it in top condition, protecting it from heat, dust, pests, and moisture.
To safeguard your Cajon drum, store it in a dry location. For transportation, invest in a cajon box case or a padded cajon box bag to shield it from potential damage.
Consider acquiring a specialized cleaning kit, which should include brushes, soft cloths, and varnish. Additionally, cleaning oils and silica gel packets can prove beneficial in maintaining the drum’s integrity.
Thankfully, all these essential accessories are readily available online, allowing you to conveniently choose the most suitable ones for your Cajon drum.
The Art of Learning Cajones: Top Instructional Videos
Embarking on the journey of learning a musical instrument is a wonderful pursuit, and while self-learning can be rewarding, having some initial guidance will greatly aid in mastering proper technique and form.
Once you’ve selected the perfect cajones, it’s essential to immerse yourself in instructional materials to accelerate your growth as a musician. Learning the cajones is best done through visual or live examples, therefore I’ve gathered a selection of the greatest videos to support you along the way:
- “Cajon Basics: A Visual Guide” – Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjJncuj3WRc
- “Mastering Cajon Techniques: Step-by-Step Tutorial” – Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-RDgInI9Y4
- “Cajon Rhythms Unleashed: A Comprehensive Lesson” – Dive in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpReSnkGrTU
By delving into these instructional videos, you’ll gain valuable insights and accelerate your progress in mastering the art of playing the cajon box. Happy drumming!
Conclusion:
Cajon drums truly stand out as marvelous and straightforward percussion instruments, appealing to both beginners and experts alike. Their versatility ensures an enjoyable experience for all.
Among the plethora of options available, our top pick is undoubtedly the Clapbox Adjustable Snare cajon box. This remarkable instrument offers exceptional value for your investment, boasting an impressive sound range and crafted from top-notch materials. We heartily urge you to try it!
Please share your insightful remarks about our choice in the box drum below. We look forward to reading them. Please feel free to recommend a product we should evaluate in the future as well. Your suggestions are greatly valued!
FAQs
Are Cajon Drums Difficult to Play?
Not really. Cajon drums are quite accessible to anyone with a basic sense of rhythm and percussion skills. They are not overly technical instruments, and even beginners can manage to play them. However, formal training is available for those who are interested in further honing their skills.
Can Playing a Cajon Drum Cause Back Problems?
Ideally, playing a Cajon drum should not cause any harm to your back. To ensure comfort while playing, it’s important to choose a cajon instrument with a shape, size, and weight that feels suitable for you. Additionally, you can adjust the tilt of the cajon instrument either forward or backward as needed. Sitting on a chair behind the cajon instrument or using a cajon instrument stand to adjust the height are also viable options. Starting with shorter sessions and using back support if required can also help mitigate any discomfort.
Are Cajon Drums Expensive in India?
No, Cajon drums are not generally expensive in India. There are many cajon instrument brands that offer these drums at reasonable prices. You can refer to the review provided earlier to confirm this.
Are Cajon Drums, Percussion Drums, and Regular Snare Drums the Same?
Percussion instruments include cajon drums, normal snare drums, and percussion drums. They are not identical, nevertheless, in terms of their design and construction. Although looking like wooden crates, cajon drums are a specific kind of drum. Regular snare drums are a distinct type of percussion drum found in drum sets. To make a Cajon drum sound more like a regular snare drum, snares, mic processors, bass tubes, and cabasas can be used.
Can I Take Cajon Lessons Online?
Absolutely! Cajon drums are used often by percussionists, and Indian musicians have started to utilize them more frequently as well. There are many online tutorials accessible as a result. As an alternative, you might look for a local music instructor who provides cajon instrument instruction.
Can I Use Regular Drumming Accessories with a cajon instrument ?
It is advisable not to use regular drumming accessories with a Cajon drum since it is a unique instrument with a wooden-case structure and distinctive playing techniques. Using regular drum accessories on a cajon instrument can potentially damage its surfaces.
Are Cajon Drums the Same as Bongo Drums?
No, Cajon drums and bongo drums are two different percussion instruments. However, there is a sub-type of Cajon drums known as Bongo cajones , which consists of two smaller Cajon drums that produce separate tones and sounds.
