Latin Percussion

Drummers and percussionists have long enjoyed the ability to play bells, blocks, and tambourines using LP's legendary Gajate Bracket and a bass drum pedal. Now LP and noted artist/educator Michael Spiro have collaborated on a device that brings the hi-hat foot into the mix.

The LP Hi-Hat Shekere (LP485) mounts to any standard hi-hat pull rod. Its durable fiberglass shell has a unique flattened-sphere shape without the traditional "throat" of a gourd-style shekere. This shape provides increased contact area for the beads in order to accommodate the exclusively up-and-down motion that a hi-hat generates.

The beads themselves are also unique. LP's designers experimented extensively to determine just the right bead size and hardness to achieve a natural sound. Then they mounted the beads on the shell using special extra-light netting that provides easy movement for a lively response.

Each Hi-Hat Shekere is supplied with three extra hi-hat seat washers to prevent the Shekere from "bottoming out" on the seat. This ensures that only the crisp, bright sound of the Shekere will be heard when the instrument is played.