Collection: Blocs en bois

Wood blocks, tone blocks, tick-tock blocks and slit log drums from EMUS, NINO, SUZUKI, Timber Drum Co. and Rhythm Works.

All of these are hollow pieces of hardwood struck with a mallet, and the hollow is what makes them work. A solid block gives a dull knock. A block with a slot cut into it resonates, so the note is loud, clear and dry with a definite pitch to it, and it cuts through a group without needing to be hit hard.

A plain wood block gives one note. A double tone block or tick-tock block has two slots of different lengths, so one instrument gives a high and a low note and a player can alternate between them, which is where rhythm patterns start to have shape. EMUS stocks both, plus a guiro tone block with a ridged surface for scraping and a multi-tone tank with a handle.

Wooden agogos are a related idea, two blocks of different pitch joined together, and the EMUS ten inch model covers that.

Slit log drums are the largest form, played on the floor or a table with mallets. The Timber Drum Co. medium drum and the two-tone slit log drum both give a deep, woody note with real body to it.

SUZUKI BARcussion high and low woodblocks come on a key base, so they stand on a table and can be played one-handed.