Kanjira
The Kanjira is a small percussion from South India. It consisting of a wood frame with a skin of a lizard or snake and a couple of jingles. But as these reptiles are endangered, they are now banned from sale. But fortunately, there is Kanjira with synthetic skin, or goatskin.
This instrument is used mainly to accompany classical music in South India, the carnatic music.
Despite his apparent ease, it's a complex instrument as it requires precision endurance and speed, and any it with one hand.
There are 3 types of Kanjira: lizard skin, goat skin and synthetic skin.
The kanjira in lizard skin is the "original". But you will not find today because the species is threatened, and therefore, the sale is prohibited. However, although this is very rare (and expensive), it is possible to find opportunity.
Originally, the sound is very sharp, the skin is very tight. To have a nice bass sound, it is necessary to wet the skin. To simply dip a finger in a glass of water and moisten the skin inside and not on the side where you hit. The more you wet and low will be your sound. Caution but not too wet skin, otherwise it will be "dead", the kanjira have more bass, it will wait around for about 10 minutes to dry the skin, and after, you can redo the operation. During the playing, your skin will dry and tone will become more acute, you can simply add a skin of water to the lower "back down".
And yes, your kanjira is alive, it reacts to temperature and moisture.
The kanjira with goatskin is an inexpensive alternative compared to the original, are found in the 50$.
The difference is mostly esthetic, skin is white and smooth, but we found a deep bass sound by wetting also the inner skin. Take a small amount always, always dipping his finger.
The kanjira of the 21st century! No need to water, kanjira in synthetic skin is consistent with a key, and is not sensitive to temperature or moisture. Once granted, it does not move.
Both models found on the market are manufactured by Remo and Cooperman. The model Cooperman is a little larger than the Remo and her skin is white, the Remo when he has to finish imitation lizard skin.
Kanjira Coopermann
Kanjira Rémo
Test - Kanjira Remo / Cooperman / Original lizard skin:
