Castanets

What it means

Castanets consist of two shell-shaped hollowed wooden discs connected by a cord and struck against each other. They produce a dry, bright click without determinable pitch. Traditionally they are held in pairs, one in each hand, the somewhat higher-sounding pair in the right hand, the lower one in the left; for orchestral use there are additionally models in which the shells are mounted on a handle or a small board and are struck with the fingers.

In the notation

Castanets are notated in a percussion line on one line. Rolls appear as tremolo strokes, single strokes as ordinary notes. Indications of the type of construction — hand castanets or handle castanets — stand as a word instruction alongside, because sound and agility differ markedly.

Musical use

Castanets belong to the dance tradition of Spain and are there inseparably connected with particular dances, in which they are played by the dancers themselves. They entered orchestral music in the nineteenth century, usually to mark a Spanish tone; since then they have been a fixed part of the percussion and are also met outside this context as a rhythmic colour. Because of its sharpness, their sound cuts through even in a dense texture, although it has little volume.

Performance practice

In traditional handling, the cords fasten the shells to the thumb; striking is done with the other fingers, the roll arising from the successive impact of ring, middle, and index fingers. This technique needs time and should be built up slowly. In the orchestra, handle castanets are usual, because they allow fast rhythms securely and with controlled volume; for quiet passages they are held closer to the body. Watch for dry wood and firm cords and check before use whether the shells spring back freely.

Bear in mind that hand castanets and handle castanets sound distinctly different: the traditional form is softer and more varied, the orchestral form louder and rhythmically more precise. Check from the score what is meant, and choose deliberately. For very fast figures a mounting on a small board played with both hands is usual. Check cords and wood before use, because a tearing band makes the entry impossible. Practise quiet passages especially, since the instrument by nature sounds sharp.