Cajón Drum

The Cajon (pronounced Cahone) is a small wooden box type drum originating from Peru. Over time the Cajon has been used for different musical styles. It is now often seen in Flamenco music and is increasingly popular with acoustic folk, rock and pop. Although it is mainly a hand percussion instrument it can be played with brushes or beaters.

Behind this seemingly simple wooden box instrument lies a rather convoluted history. Its origins can be traced back to 18th-century Africa. Before being sold into slavery in the Americas, Africans had a rich tradition of percussion. They used a variety of instruments to play music, expressing emotions and conveying messages. When Africans were enslaved and transported to the Americas, they were deprived of almost everything, including their instruments. To alleviate their homesickness, they began to use wooden crates and other objects on ships to imitate the sounds of African drums. In the harsh conditions of labor, the cajon became a spiritual comfort for enslaved Africans, bringing them solace. Over time, the cajon emerged from folk music and gradually gained popularity among musicians worldwide.

• Types of Cajon Drum
  There are three main types of Cajon. All Cajons tend to be made of plywood with a thin plywood playing surface supported by thicker sides. Cajons will also have a sound hole positioned at the back or to the side.
• Cajon FrontCajonBack
  The original version is a standard version with out the addition of and snare type effects.
• Snare Cajon
  My Cajon is a snare type. Inside the drum is a row of snare springs. These press against the front of the drum to give the drum a slight snare sound when played. There are a few other variations used to add a snare effect. Flamenco Cajons use nylon guitar strings and others use bells or rattles.
  Cajon Hole
• Hybrid Cajon
  There are also some desigin variations out there. There is a lap Cajon which is a smaller laptop version. I have also seen versions with a sloped front surface and even Cajon Congas. Different materials have also been experimented with. Meinl offer a fiberglass playing surface and there are picture on the web of an all acrylic version.

The cajon is actually not very difficult to play, making it a great instrument for beginners. It's essentially a wooden box without any complex components, making it very easy to get started with. By striking different parts of the surface with varying degrees of force, you can produce a wide range of tones to suit different musical styles. The playing style of the cajon is quite flexible, allowing for improvisation based on the music. Compared to other percussion instruments, it's easier to learn and offers a rich sound, making it a fun instrument to play.

Basic Cajon Striking Techniques

• Bass Stroke: Strike the center of the playing surface with the heel of your hand to produce a deep, resonant sound that mimics a bass drum.
• Slap Stroke: Strike the edge of the playing surface with the heel of your hand and quickly rebound, producing a bright, sharp sound similar to a snare drum.
• Scrape: Slide your fingers or palm across the playing surface to create a scratching sound.
• Rub: Rub your palm across the playing surface to produce a continuous buzzing sound.

Playing Tips

• Tone Control: Adjust the force, position, and angle of your strikes to achieve different tones.
• Rhythm Practice: Start with simple rhythms and gradually increase the difficulty. Use a metronome or play along with music to practice.
• Body Coordination: Playing the cajon requires hand-foot coordination. Pay attention to relaxing and coordinating your body while practicing.
• Improvisation: Try adding improvised elements to your playing to make your performance more lively and interesting.

Part 1: Getting Started

1.Gather your plywood. Cajóns are typically made from two different thicknesses of plywood. The thinner plywood is for the front playing surface, while the thicker plywood is used for the rest of the box.

• Use about 1/8-inch thick plywood for the front plate. This is the part you'll be playing on, and for most cajóns, you'll need a piece that's about 13" x 19".
• For the rest of the box, use 3/8-inch thick plywood.

2.Cut your plywood pieces. To create the basic frame of your cajón, cut your plywood to size. When cutting, clamp a metal ruler to the plywood to ensure a straight cut, then use a circular saw or jigsaw.

• The top and bottom should be 13" x 13".
• The single back piece should be 13" x 18".
• The two side pieces should be 12" x 18".

3.Cut the soundhole in the back piece. Mark the center of the back piece and draw a 4.7-inch diameter circle. Drill a hole at the edge of the circle and then use a jigsaw to cut out the circle.

• Sand the edges to make them smooth.

4.Make the snares. The unique sound of a cajón is the snare effect produced when you hit the front plate. This is due to the snares, which can be made from various materials such as old guitar strings, fishing line, or even paperclips.

• To create your snares, cut lengths of your chosen material and attach them to the inside of the cajón. You can experiment with different materials and tensions to achieve your desired sound.

Part 2: Assembling the Box

1.Glue the main frame. Starting with the bottom and one side, apply plenty of wood glue. Then, glue on the other side and top, creating the basic box.

• Clamp the pieces together, ensuring that the corners are square. You can also use wooden blocks to create guides to ensure right angles.

2.Apply pressure. Large woodworking clamps are ideal, but you can also use ratchet straps. Apply pressure while the glue dries. Allow several hours for the glue to set.

• Wipe off any excess glue with a damp cloth. Refer to the instructions on your wood glue for specific drying times and pressure recommendations.

3.Install the snares. Before gluing on the front plate, install the snares. There are many ways to attach snares, but ideally, you'll want to be able to tune them.

• Stretch the snares from top corner to opposite corner, about 3 inches from the edge. Secure them with wood screws or attach them to tuning pegs.

4.Glue on the front and back plates. Position the front and back plates and apply glue. Clamp them in place, ensuring the soundhole is at the bottom and the snares are at the top. You may want to add wood screws for extra stability, especially as you'll be sitting on the cajón.

Part 3: Finishing Touches

1. Add a bottom. Cut a piece of plywood or rubber to fit the bottom of the cajón. This will provide a cushion for your feet and prevent the cajón from sliding.
2. Round the corners. Sand the corners of the top to make it more comfortable to sit on. Use progressively finer sandpaper until you achieve a smooth finish.
3. Personalize your cajón. Decorate your cajón with paint, stain, or other materials to make it unique.

Safety first:

• Wear eye protection and ear protection when using power tools.
  

Mortise and tenon (榫卯 sǔn mǎo), the essence of traditional Chinese woodworking, is a method of connecting two or more wooden components without the use of nails or glue. It relies solely on the interlocking of protruding and recessed structures within the wood itself. The protruding part is called a "tenon" (榫头), and the recessed part is called a "mortise" (卯眼 or 榫眼). By inserting the tenon into the mortise, two pieces of wood can be firmly joined together.

The mortise and tenon structure forms a strong connection through the tight fit between the wood pieces, creating a robust bond that is more secure than using nails or glue alone, and is less prone to loosening or breaking. It effectively disperses stress, reduces wood deformation and cracking, thus extending the lifespan of wooden products. Furthermore, this connection method eliminates the need for chemical adhesives, avoiding the release of harmful substances like formaldehyde, making it more environmentally friendly and healthy.