How Do I Maintain My Tambourine?

A well-maintained tambourine ensures you get the best tonal qualities and longevity from your instrument. As a professional percussionist and orchestral musician with over 30 years of experience, I'm delighted to share some valuable tips to help you keep your tambourine in top shape.

Understanding Your Tambourine

Before diving into maintenance tips, it's essential to understand the different types of tambourines and their materials. Tambourines can be skinned or skinless, and they may have varying numbers of jingles. The materials and construction of a tambourine can affect its tonal qualities, so careful maintenance is a must.

Material Matters

Materials play a crucial role in your tambourine's sound and durability. Common materials include wood, metal, and plastic. Wooden tambourines give rich, organic tones but require careful handling to avoid warping or cracking. Metal tambourines may need careful use and storage to prevent the surface becoming damaged and allowing corrosion to set in. Plastic tambourines are durable but benefit from routine cleaning to maintain their appearance.

Choosing the Right Cleaning Method

Depending on the materials of your tambourine, the cleaning method may vary:

Wooden Frames: Use a slightly damp cloth to wipe down wooden frames, ensuring you don't soak the wood. Over time, you can apply a small amount of wood polish or oil to keep it gleaming.

Metal Frames and Jingles: Metal frames can be cleaned with a soft cloth. Try to avoid chemicals which may interact badly with the metals. For jingles, remove any built-up dirt by gently wiping them with a cloth.

For all types of tambourines, keep an eye on the jingle pins. My tambourines are captured with a solid timber plug. Some makers may use a filler which can shrink or dry out over time and the pins can fall out. I capture mine so that the whole instrument can be used – there’s nothing quite like a thumb or finger roll on the frame of the tambourine but if there are recessed pin-holes or nails protruding, this can be more difficult.Depending on the materials of your tambourine, the cleaning method may vary:

 

Skinned vs. Headless Tambourines

Skinned Tambourines: For tambourines with natural skin heads, avoid exposing them to extreme humidity or dryness. When not in use, store them in a climate-controlled environment. If the skin becomes loose due to the weather, you can gently tighten it using a hairdryer set on low but be careful not to overheat it. You can also use one of these ‘hand warmer’ packs but don’t leave your tambourine too ling exposed to heat/warmth in case the head tightens too much and pulls off the frame.

Headless Tambourines: These require less maintenance but still need regular cleaning. A damp cloth can be used to wipe the surface clean.

Jingle Maintenance

The number and distribution of jingles can greatly influence the sound of your tambourine. Regularly check to ensure the jingles are securely attached and free of debris. Over time, jingles might need reset to maintain their optimal distribution and tonal quality if the pin has become worn or damaged and likewise if the tambourine is quite old, it can develop some ‘keyholing’ like a suspended cymbal and it may be necessary to see if it can be repaired or replaced without disrupting the full nature of the instrument.

Top 5 Tips to Maintain Your Tambourine:

1. Regular Cleaning: Wipe your tambourine with a soft, dry cloth after each use..

2. Tuning (for Skinned Tambourines): Skinned tambourine heads can stretch and change tension. If you tambourine head is always loose, or always too tight, you can use some water like on a snare drum head or timpani head to ‘reset’ the balance of head tension in the frame. If it’s too loose, wet the head and allow it to dry in a warm/bright place. If it’s too tight, wet the head and invert the tambourine with a small bowl (like a small sauce bowl or something similar) and leave some heavy books on top to see of the head has any ‘stretch’ available over some hours or overnight. Always be very careful and don’t use too much heat, too much water, out the instrument under too much pressure for too long...slowly slowly....

3. Storage: Store your tambourine in a cool, dry place, ideally in a padded bag to prevent scratches and impacts. Avoid extreme humidity and temperature conditions which can damage skins and wood. Always keep it in a case or protective bag when not in use and avoid placing heavy objects on top of it to prevent warping or damage to the jingles and frame.

4. Jingle Check: Ensure the jingles are secure.

5. Regular Playing: Believe it or not, regular playing helps keep a tambourine in good condition. It prevents skins from becoming too stiff and keeps jingles from accumulating dust and grime.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using Harsh Chemicals: Avoid household cleaners that can damage the materials.

Ignoring Loose Parts: Regularly check for and tighten any loose screws or components.

Exposure to Extreme Conditions: Never leave your tambourine in your car or near heating vents.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your tambourine maintains its vibrant sound and longevity.

Visit tambourineLAB's selection of custom made tambourines and bring your music to life with the ideal instrument.

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