Tamborim is the highest-pitched membraphone in a “Bateria de Samba” (Carnival percussion ensemble). It is a small frame drum (about 5" in diameter) with 5 to 12 tension rods and a very tight plastic skin.

In a large Bateria, tamborins are hit with plastic bundle-type rods, producing multiple impacts and giving the illusion of several simultaneous flicks. This distinctive, powerful sound is characteristic of Carnival samba songs, as large tamborim sections of the band play in counterpoint to the lead singing.
In smaller bands, tamborim is played by a single percusionist with a more ordinary wooden stick, producing a rounder, softer sound, somewhat similar to that of woodblocks.

Tamborim is one of the few purely Brazilian music instruments.

Contemporãnea’s wooden model is relatively light (320 g), easy and pleasant to play with a short shell, particularly adapted to small hands.

Head: plastic
Shell: wood
Diameter : 6"
Tension rods: 8
Delivered with a tension spanner.