CASTANETS WITH AND WITHOUTH PEAK

Castañuelas Jale make professional castanets in two formats: with and without peak. A double option design which in many occasions raises questions: What is the peak? Is it a merely aesthetic issue or also affects to sound? What is the best, to take it or not? The reason for this post is to give you answers and help you when choosing your next pair of professionals castanets, your essential companion of trip through the exciting world of the Spanish dance. But, let’s go by parts: What is the “peak”?

The peak of the castanet is the angle in relief -similar to a knot of tie – which is marked on each external piece. Non-peak castanets by the contrary, present an even surface obtained after a laborious work of sanding and polishing-.

The main difference between these two models is therefore aesthetic. Both are just as elegant and beautiful, so choosinge one or the other is just a matter of taste. “Peak” design responds to a more classic style and we might say “non-peak” ones have a simpler or more modern one. But… there is a more subtle dissimilarity: the weight.

“Non-peak” castanets have less material and therefore they are a bit lighter. Precisely for this reason, we recommend them for soloists – in fact, we normally name them “Concert castanets” -. When in concert a soloist has to play them by keeping their arms raised for a long time so if castanets are a little lighter, better. True?.

Finally, the sound. The difference in terms of sound from one model to another hardly is perceptible since the peak is located in the upper part of the castanet -very close to the ears – and the sound occurs down on the lips and resonance box.

As a concussion; Feel free to choose one design or the other, we make both models with identical quality and care.