Amazing Percussion Instrument: multi task rhythm clackers…

In the X-mas gift from my work there was a set of rhythm clackers I never saw in my life. I once wrote an essay about rhythm clackers, in which also the the long gone Latin Percussion set was discussed, but this three ‘spoon’ set beats it all.

Basically it is a normal spoon set of clackers, the two red ones, only the shaft is much larger and rounder than normal eating spoons, so they can be easily held into the hand of a grown up man. They are more stable when hitting the other hand or lap and also when rattling on the fingers. Because they are much larger than usual the beginner can handle these clacker almost immediately. One spoon has a hole in the middle of the cup, which results in a different sound when stopped in the opposite hand. Placing the hand more or less to the end allows the player to create a double click in one go, so the rhythm sounds twice as fast. All three spoons are made out of hard plastic.

When held in the middle shacking the clackers gives a sharp rattling sound. The volume of the clackers are louder than normal spoons, somewhat dryer, between wood and iron.

When held as Dutch clackers the set sounds reasonable too, although the wooden click isn’t there. They are also easily to operate due to the large shaft. Rolling is no problem, even using a set of clackers in both hands. Replacing one of the red clackers for the white one delivers much more sound in the hit. It becomes almost porcelain (china) like, bright and high.

Holding the clackers near the cups creates a castagnette like clacker which is played by the fingers of the opposite hand.

The last position to play it is using it as a beater and a resonator, which can be opened and closed to produce different sounds.

Leaves to name the instrument.

It is probably made in Sweden and is called TROLSK

Costs in the USA $ 3.99 (three dollar and ninety-nine cents) at Ikea…

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50134243