Half to three quarter inch thick wood was generally used for five sides of the box. A thin sheet of plywood was nailed on as the sixth side and acted as the striking surface or head. A sound hole was cut on the back side opposite the head or tapa.
The top edges were often left unattached and could be slapped against the box. The player sat astride the box, tilting it at an angle while striking the head between his knees. The modern cajón has several screws at the top for adjusting percussive timbre and may sport rubber feet. Some versions may also have several vertically stretched cords pressed against the tapa for a buzz like effect or tone. Guitar strings, rattles or drum snares may serve this purpose. The percussionist can play the sides with the top of his palms and fingers for additional sounds.
What a Cajon can mean to a youth ministry is:
- an inexpensive way to get a full drum sound without buying a kid
- an easy way to add a drum to a band if you don't have a real drummer
- a simple drum option for traveling (camp, mission trips)
Check out the video and see how it works and sounds:
