Specific to the culture and tradition of Spain, the castanets are closely connected to flamenco, an authentic traditional dance of this country. While some see castanets together with flamenco, others don’t consider that real flamenco has anything to do with this peculiar instruments, but, regardless of case, the sounds produced by the castanets are hard to ignore. They work extremely well in a combination with Spanish music, so if you’re looking to buy a pair of castanets, here is what you need to have in mind.
What are the Best Castanets to Buy?
2) LP Aspire LPA131 Castanets
- Hardwood
- Classic Sound
- Authentic Appearance
- Reputable Brand
1) Latin Percussion LP427 Castanet
- Hands Free
- O-ring Tension system
- High Quality
3) Meinl Percussion Cajon Castanet
- Cajon Castanet
- Great Sound
- High Quality
- Comfortable Playing
Pay attention to quality, as there are some castanets on the market that are made to be souvenirs and not real instruments. Usually, they are much cheaper than the real thing and they don’t provide the sound that made castanets famous around the world.
For this, you need to do some research and find the brands that are reliable and known for producing authentic castanets. In the case of beginners, opting for castanets that are designed for teachers may be a much better choice, as they are lighter than traditional castanets while providing the same sound.
The reason behind making castanets lighter is the fact that teachers spend many hours playing them in front of their students, so it may end up being a hard and painful activity for the hands.
They also come in various sizes, as our hands differ when it comes to size as well. To know what size of castanets to buy, you need to measure the width of your palms, making sure that the castanet will fit in it without a problem.
When it comes to the material from which they are made, castanets are made out of wood, but the harder the wood, the better, as the sound will be more powerful. But, don’t be surprised if you will find castanets made out of composite fiber or pressed canvas, as modern castanets can be made this way, due to the resilience of these materials.
11 Best Castanet Reviews and the Best Castanet Brands
1) Latin Percussion LP427 Castanet Machine
This is a piece of stunning technology, as this castanet model will allow your hands to be free, while giving you the chance to produce the specific sounds of this instrument. You can mount it on a rod, in case you want to play it with your feet, while your hands do something else, or you can place it on a tabletop and play it this way.
The material of the castanets is extremely resistant and made to last, so don’t be afraid to use it as often as you want. So, if you are playing a variety of instruments or you simply what to keep your hands free, this particular castanet model will suit your needs.
2) LP Aspire LPA131 Castanets, Hand Held, 2 Pair
As mentioned earlier, a hardwood is the ideal material for a pair of castanets, as it promotes a strong sound with minimum effort. This particular pair of castanets is made out of hardwood only, preserving the classic sound of this intriguing instrument.
The wood from which the castanets are made is kept as it is, just being polished and nicely finished, for an authentic appearance. Regardless if you are a teacher or a student, this is the kind of castanets that works in both cases, due to the fact that they are made in a traditional manner.
3) Meinl Percussion WC1-M Medium Wood Cajon Castanet, Black
If you are interested in castanets with a modern appearance and with modern features as well, then this instrument provided by Meinl has what it takes to answer to your requirements. It is made out of wood, indeed, but the design adopted by the manufacturer transforms it into a real contemporary instrument.
A spring is installed on the castanet, which will open it as soon as you release it from your grip, and an adhesive tape will make it stick to any surface, which is extremely practical when you are not using your instrument. Concerning the sounds it makes, they are high pitched and with staccato accents.
4) Castanets, 2 5/8, Ebony, Pair – DOBANI
Handmade out of ebony, this pair of castanets respects the traditional rules when it comes to this specific instrument. Kept together by powerful cords, the halves of the castanets, shaped as clams, will produce a powerful and clear sound, so playing them will be a real pleasure.
They can be easily hanged on the thumb, so that they will comfortably rest in your palms, for an easy performance. Also, the charm of the ebony is left untouched, as the castanets were left to reflect the natural beauty of this dark-colored wood. You will get great quality for their price tag for sure.
5) Semi-Professional Jale Spanish Flamenco Castanets Castañuelas Bubinga Caoba
If you past the position of beginner when it comes to handling castanets and you acquired a certain level of experience, then you need to check this set of castanets out.
Beautifully made out of mahogany, these castanets were made to answer to the needs of semi-professional players, which know how to handle a castanet and are looking for instruments of a higher quality and reliability.
This explains why their price tag is slightly higher than the other presented castanets. But, even so, they are accessible if you want to pass to the next level.
6) Hohner S303 Castanets
This happy-looking and modern castanets are great if you want something that it out of the ordinary. They are ideal for children, especially since you can choose the desired size, making sure that they will fit in the palms of your kids. While they are not made out of plastic, these castanets provided by Hohner will produce an excellent sound, so it will be a real joy to use them.
They can turn out of be a great gift for children above the age of 3 because besides the instrument itself, you will also receive in the package fun songs and activities recommendations.
7) Meinl Percussion FC2 Rosewood Castanets
In case you are looking for quality, Meinl is a brand that will not let you down. This particular pair of castanets are, besides elegant, highly reliable and capable of producing clear and loud sounds. They have the ideal size both for a flamenco representation and for a concert.
So, yes, it is the kind of instrument that can be used both by professionals and beginners alike. Rosewood is the chosen material for their manufacturing, so you can be sure of their quality and sound resonance. Your performance will never be disappointing with this pair of castanets.
8) Meinl Percussion HC1 Rosewood Castanets
If all the castanets presented until now were made to be used in the palm of your hands, this particular models is a bit different. Instead of having something that can be placed around your thumb, it features a handle.
This handle makes handling the castanets easier, as all you have to do is to hold them by the handle and perform whipping movements from your wrist, and they will snap, producing their specific sound.
In a traditional size and design, and made out of beautiful rosewood, this is the kind of instrument you’ll love having around.
9) ammoon 2pcs Cajon Box Drum Companion Accessory Castanets Large & Medium
For those passionate about hand percussion instruments, this set of castanets may represent the ideal choice. There are two castanets in the package, of different sizes, meaning that you will be able to obtain two different castanet sounds. Made out or rubber timber from Thailand, these two instruments are a great addition in the musical instrument collection of any music enthusiast that loves castanets or hand percussion instruments.
They are extremely easy to use and can be safely placed on any surface, due to the adhesive tape they have on one side. The sounds they make is clear, so it will be a real pleasure using them.
10) Musical Instruments Rhythm Kids Toys Wooden Finger Castanets Set of 2 (Burlywood)
Children love playing instruments because they make noise and are fun to work with. If you are not sure about the instrument your child should start playing with, they do have in mind this set of castanets. They are specially made for children, made out of wood, which is light and safe at the same time, as it is not died or treated with any substances.
The surface of the castanets is smooth and the size is ideal for the palms of a child, so the young one will have no problems playing at them. They are easy to store and carry around, allowing your child to play with them at any times.
11) Meinl Percussion CM2 Castanet Machine
Made out of the elegant rosewood, known for its spectacular color and resilience in time, this pair of castanets is appropriate for experienced players, not just for beginners. They are made just like traditional castanets were made for centuries in Spain, so you can be sure of their quality and authentic sound, which is both full and loud at the same time.
It doesn’t matter how you like to play this instrument, whether you prefer a staccato style of a fast rhythm, as they will perfect flawlessly each time. Besides this, you can adjust these castanets to suit your personal preferences.
Choosing the Best Castanet from the Best Castanet Brands
It is not that easy to pick a castanet or a set of castanets, in spite of the fact that this kind of musical instrument doesn’t look too complicated. Well, at this point, you probably noticed quite a few differences when it comes to castanets, starting with their price and going to the material from which they are made, design, size, and shape.
2) LP Aspire LPA131 Castanets
- Hardwood
- Classic Sound
- Authentic Appearance
- Reputable Brand
1) Latin Percussion LP427 Castanet
- Hands Free
- O-ring Tension system
- High Quality
3) Meinl Percussion Cajon Castanet
- Cajon Castanet
- Great Sound
- High Quality
- Comfortable Playing
Before purchasing any castanet, you need to know very well how the instrument is going to be used.
It is a gift for a child?
Will it be handled by a beginner or experienced player?
Will it be a great addition in a band, as an auxiliary instrument for someone that is already playing hand percussion instruments?
Also, how much would you like to spend on a pair of castanets?
There are quite a few variables to have in mind before making a purchase, so that the castanets that will reach you will not be disappointing.