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Writer's pictureRhythmatist

Peruvian box drum, Cajon

The Cajon is a wooden box made with light plywood with a hole in the side that produces a deep tone when one side is hit. Usually the drummer sits atop the Cajon and strikes it between his/her legs.

Often the inside of the box panel has wire snares strung such that each strike resounds with a treble accent as well as a bass tone.

The Cajon is said to have emerged from Peru. Nowadays it can be heard in Flamenco music of Grenada, Sevilla and Cordoba in Southern Spain as well.

Some drum makers have begun making conical shaped cajon with the hole on the bottom. Most cajon these days come with piano-string snares on the inside to create a rasping tone.

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