I've often wondered about the "crate-like" percussion instrument I see drummers using in an acoustical setting.

I played and play percussion back in High School and several Rock & Roll bands in my life. I used to actually make enough to support myself by playing for about 5 years, back in the day.

I started noticing the Cajones (Kah-Hone) on MTV unplugged about 15 years ago and often wondered,WTH are those ungodly looking thangs and how do they work?

I saw several when down in New Orleans at various bars playing 'Cajun' gigs back in 2001-2003.

Well, they've been around for quite a while according to my research and more to them that meets the layman's eyes.

Some are built with internal 'snare' wires to mimick a snare drum when hit correctly and in the right spot.

Anyhoo, since I was a percussionist and still do play I started wanting one to gig w/my pals acoustically, cuz my drum kit is just too loud for those quiet settings.

Also, the drummer, as I'm sure those who are interested in this too, always sit on top of the Cajone and lean backwards to a balance point for a better 'striking' position.

I can't do that because of my injured spine so enter the "Slap-Top Cajone"

The 'slap-top' looks like a capital English "T", so the acoustic resonant chamber sits between and below your knees while the striking surface sits in your lap.

Pretty darn cool and it's amazing what sounds can be produced from this contraption which looks like a custom block of wood. It has two 'snare' wires installed (one on each end of the striking surface, so there are two spots which produce the snare drum sound).

Best part is that it weighs about 5-lbs and no set-up time involved.

No striking surfaces to be replaced like drum heads and always ready to beat on which is done with your hands or brushes.

Now, I gotta start practicing my 'rudiments' again and for some reason they aren't coming to me as easily as they did 50 years ago................

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AKA: "Strange Tamer"

Are you talking about the instrument in this video???


This is an Alex Goot cover version......

Yes.
They are amazing.
Easier to transport, better for smaller venues than hauling a kit, usually better than a djembe for acoustic. Pop or rock or jazz settings or worship settings. Good in classroom too.

They're great.

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Soli Deo Gloria

I have a friend who has designed and built his own cajon. His has a snare portion on the top. I'll post a vid if I can find it.

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Freedom isn't free.

This guy is playing a 'slap-top' cajone. He's using a standard cajone for a throne.

You can tell by his technique that he is a conga player by trade.

Extremely fast hands. Some of his rolls are done by using the double slapping technique which takes a very long time to master.



On a 1-10 scale, I'm probably a 0.5 compared to him.

But, I just started...........

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AKA: "Strange Tamer"

It's a standard instrument in Spanish- Flamenco combos.
The best Cajone player that I ever saw in person was a few years ago with Ottmar Liebert.
He was spectacular!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottmar_Liebert

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NRA LIFE MEMBER