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Tambourine
A ring of metal jingles that splash on the backbeat.
1 · Hear it
Listen twice: once alone, once with the band. The second one is how you'll actually hear it in songs.
2 · What it actually is
A frame holding pairs of small metal discs that rattle when struck or shaken.
Its job
Brightens the top of a chorus and reinforces the snare.
Listen for
A bright metallic jangle that rattles for a moment after the hit.
You've heard it in: Motown, gospel, and nearly every big pop chorus.