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Useful tips and information
Tamborim beater -  shopping guide

How many rods?

The number of rods that your tamborim beater consists of has great influence on the dynamic of your playing feel. The less rods, the better defined and the deeper your tone will sound. Tamborim beaters with fewer rods are more suitable for the 3/1 technique (the old turning technique) and for playing very tight. Beaters with more rods are better for the 2/1 technique (the new technique), because they make it easier to hit the right notes.

Conical or cylindrical rods?

Nowadays rods for tamborim beaters are almost exclusively produced in conical shape. The thin rods get thicker in their ends. The reason for this is that with more weight in the tips, the rods can gather momemtum and therefore produce a higher volume. Cylindrical rods do actually have one advantage: The smaller and thinner the heads of the rods are, the less you have to pitch up your tamborim innecessarily.

Flexible or stiff handle?

When chosing the flexibility of your beaters handle, it depends if you want a maximum of flexibility (better for the new turning technique 2/1) - in this case you should opt for high flexibility. If you prefer a bit more control, then a stiff handle is the better option. Keep in mind the flexibility of the rods should supplement the level or hardness of the handle in order to achieve the ideal playing feel.

Length of beater: long, medium, short?

Right after the flexibility, the length of the beater is probably the most important criteria for your choice. Generally speaking:

- The shorter the beater, the easier it is to control.

- The longer the beater, the greater the leverage effect and the more energy-efficient the playing will be for you. 

Commonly for the new 2/1 technique shorter tamborim beaters are preferred, while for the old 3/1 technique longer beaters are favored.

Flexibility: soft or hard?

The most important criterion when buying a new tamborim beater is the flexibilty. If you play exclusively the new 2/1 turning technique, you should stick to a softer version. If you play the old 3/1 technique, go for a harder beater. The flexibilty depends on the number of rods, their thickness and the flexibility of the handle.

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