A few years ago, I attended a workshop by Layne Redmond. It was so insightful and informative. Layne is a master of ritual. The opening, learning, exchanging, and closing were all very natural and beautifully laid out for us.

At that workshop, I learned a slick little technique on the tambourine. Right after the workshop, I remember spending a couple hours per day practicing the workshop rhythms and my playing technique. I eventually moved on to spending more time studying other instruments. But even now, I love showing this trick to my groups, and playing along to a groove with this little piece of tambourine awesomeness.

Click play to see the coolest tambourine trick ever! Btw, I also show it off on the riq.

Click here to tweet: Did you know that the tambourine was outlawed by Pope John III in the 6th century?

I learned that tidbit from Layne’s book: When the Drummers Were Women: A Spiritual History of Rhythm.

Do you ever play the tambourine or riq? Let me know in a comment below.

You decide whether this Vietnamese instrument can stand up to a cow bell! Watch the video below to hear the instrument and watch how you can use it to interact with nature. Ok, maybe I was exaggerating about the squirrels… See for yourself.

Click play!

By the way, my friend and inventor of the Boomwhackers® Craig Ramsell is running this really cool campaign to get some new music education software up and going. If you’re feeling generous, then make sure to give a little to his awesome project and watch it bloom!

Now for some real chun mo jamming:

The question still stands: Is the chun mo a good substitute for the cow bell?

Here’s my vote: nahhhhhhhh. Second place though!

What do YOU think?