Wearable Percussion

Percussion worn on the body and played by moving: foot shakers, heel shakers, foot rattles, knee taps and ankle shakers.

The point of all of these is that the hands stay free. A guitarist can keep a shaker going with one foot while playing, a drummer can add a jingle on the knee, and in a movement or dance class the sound comes from the step rather than from anyone holding anything.

They are also worth knowing about for adaptive and sensory work. Someone who cannot grip an instrument can still wear one and play it by moving, which changes who is able to take part.

MEINL supplies a foot shaker and a heel shaker that strap to the shoe, a foot rattle, and knee pad taps in a jingle and a snare version that sit on the leg and are struck by hand. The finger motion shaker is worn on the fingers.

GMP goat hoof chajchas give a dry, loose clatter and are stocked in a wearable form for the ankle or wrist.