The complete tambourine course
The complete tambourine course
by Dominique Talks Percussion
Discover the full range of tambourine playing — from traditional to advanced, and from classical to world influences.
This course is designed for percussionists who want to explore sound, control, and musicality on a deeper level.
What you’ll learn
Core techniques: woodpecker strokes, split-hand technique, finger rolls, and thumb rolls
Advanced approaches: backward thumb roll, the eight roll, and hybrid movements
Extended techniques from world traditions like the Pandeiro (Brazil), Tamburello (Sicily), the Riq (Middle-East), Applied to the classical tambourine
How to balance power, precision, and expression in every dynamic range
What makes this course unique
Learn about the distinct sounds, playing styles, and cultural influences behind each instrument
Develop your musicality through real music examples — not just dry exercises
Hear and compare 15+ different tambourines from around the world
Available subtitles in 9 languages: English, Dutch, German, Spanish, French, Portugese, Korean, Japanese, Chinese
Exclusive bonus
Includes The art of the tambourine, a brand-new exercise book with 40 pages of exercises, only available only here (scroll down)
Combine technique and music through fun, structured exercises based on: Haydn, Beethoven, film scores, and even Super Mario!
Designed to make your daily practice musical, motivating, and creative
Only available through Dominique Talks Percussion — your destination for inspiring percussion tutorials.
Scroll down for a preview lesson!
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Before we start
Welcome — and thank you for joining the Complete Tambourine Course! I’m really happy you’ve decided to start this journey.
On this page, you’ll find everything you need to get started.
Welcome — and thank you for joining the Complete Tambourine Course! I’m really happy you’ve decided to start this journey.
On this page, you’ll find everything you need to get started.
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Lesson 1: Holding the tambourine & posture
We begin by focusing on the fundamentals: our body posture, how to hold the tambourine, and all essential techniques needed for a solid foundational playing method.
We begin by focusing on the fundamentals: our body posture, how to hold the tambourine, and all essential techniques needed for a solid foundational playing method.
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Lesson 2.1: Woodpecker technique
The Woodpecker is one of the most fundamental tambourine techniques. It’s the simplest motion we have, yet incredibly versatile. With this technique, you can already play most basic rhythms — low or fast, soft or loud
The Woodpecker is one of the most fundamental tambourine techniques. It’s the simplest motion we have, yet incredibly versatile. With this technique, you can already play most basic rhythms — low or fast, soft or loud
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Lesson 2.2: Split hand technique
Our hand can be divided into two distinct sections, enabling us to play faster and with more virtuosity.
Our hand can be divided into two distinct sections, enabling us to play faster and with more virtuosity.
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Lesson 2.3: The arched split hand technique
We learn how to divide our hand into two sections for soft playing.
We learn how to divide our hand into two sections for soft playing.
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Learn how to play fast in soft dynamics.
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Lesson 3.1: Finger rolls - thumb roll and basics
The finger roll technique is probably the one I get the most questions about. Many players struggle to make it sound smooth and consistent. Let’s dive into this technique
The finger roll technique is probably the one I get the most questions about. Many players struggle to make it sound smooth and consistent. Let’s dive into this technique
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Why waxing the tambourine is not your magic solution!
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Lesson 3.3: Rolling with all fingers
In this lesson, we’ll explore finger rolls with all fingers, focusing on developing a natural feel and control through curiosity and balance.
In this lesson, we’ll explore finger rolls with all fingers, focusing on developing a natural feel and control through curiosity and balance.
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Lesson 3.4: Long thumb roll
Lot of people struggle with a soft long thumb roll, let’s have a look at this together.
Lot of people struggle with a soft long thumb roll, let’s have a look at this together.
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Lesson 3.5: Combining rolls with other techniques
In this lesson, we’ll learn how to combine rolls with other techniques to create smooth transitions and dynamic contrasts.
In this lesson, we’ll learn how to combine rolls with other techniques to create smooth transitions and dynamic contrasts.
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Lesson 3.6: Advanced backward thumbroll
The finger roll technique is probably the one I get the most questions about. Many players struggle to make it sound smooth and consistent. Let’s dive into this technique
The finger roll technique is probably the one I get the most questions about. Many players struggle to make it sound smooth and consistent. Let’s dive into this technique
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Lesson 3.7: Shake rolls
Shake rolls! Time to train our left arm and learn different ways of playing the shake roll.
Shake rolls! Time to train our left arm and learn different ways of playing the shake roll.
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Lesson 4.1: Extended techniques
Discover fun and surprising extended techniques from around the world – little tricks that expand your sound and help you play with more creativity, both in solo and orchestral pieces.
Discover fun and surprising extended techniques from around the world – little tricks that expand your sound and help you play with more creativity, both in solo and orchestral pieces.
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Lesson 4.2: Different Tambourines and southern European styles
Discover the unique sounds of different tambourines and the techniques of Southern European traditions.
Discover the unique sounds of different tambourines and the techniques of Southern European traditions.
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Lesson 4.3: From pandeiro to pump tambourine – techniques from around the world
Discover new techniques — from the Brazilian pandeiro to innovative instruments with unique tuning systems. Learn how global playing styles can enrich your classical technique and open new ways of expressing rhythm.
Discover new techniques — from the Brazilian pandeiro to innovative instruments with unique tuning systems. Learn how global playing styles can enrich your classical technique and open new ways of expressing rhythm.
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Lesson 4.4: An introduction to Riq tambourine
Discover Riq techniques from Middle Eastern traditions — learn how to create rich rhythms, subtle shakes, and expressive tones that can inspire your classical tambourine playing.
Discover Riq techniques from Middle Eastern traditions — learn how to create rich rhythms, subtle shakes, and expressive tones that can inspire your classical tambourine playing.
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Preview
Lesson 1: Holding the tambourine & posture
IN THIS LESSON
Chapter 1 – Playing Position and Holding the Tambourine
How you hold the tambourine is perhaps the most important thing to understand. As percussionists, we play a wide range of instruments, each with its own unique character and response. The jingles of the tambourine react differently depending on the angle and position of the instrument.
In this chapter, we focus on finding a stable and natural playing position. You’ll learn how to stand, how to distribute your weight, and how to hold the tambourine in a way that gives you maximum control over both tone and resonance. A good posture forms the foundation for all techniques that will follow in the next chapters.
The jingles shape the character of the tambourine’s sound. When you hold the instrument upright, the sound rings longer; when it’s flat, the response becomes shorter and delayed. Holding it at a 45-degree angle gives you the perfect balance between resonance and precision.
