Castanets are a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of concave shells joined by a string. They are used in Spanish, Kalo, Moorish, Ottoman, Italian, Sephardic, Swiss, and Portuguese music. To play them, one pair is held in each hand with the string hooked over the thumb and shells resting in the palm. When the hands are clicked together they produce rhythmic clicks or rattles. Originally made from chestnuts, castanets were used by ancient Greeks and Egyptians. Famous castanet players include Carmen Amaya, Lola Flores, and Alex Acuña.

1. CASTANETS
What type of instrument is it?
They are a ​percussion instrument (​idiophone​), used in ​Spanish​, Kalo, ​Moorish​,
Ottoman​, ​Italian​, ​Sephardic​, ​Swiss​, and ​Portuguese​ music.
Describe the instrument
The instrument consists of a pair of concave shells joined on one edge by a string.
They are held in the hand and used to produce clicks for rhythmic accents or a ripping or rattling sound
consisting of a rapid series of clicks.
One pair is held in each hand, with the string hooked over the thumb and the castanets resting on the palm with
the fingers bent over to support the other side. Each pair will make a sound of a slightly different pitch.
Origin
Where did it came from?
The origins of the instrument are not known.
The practice of clicking hand-held sticks together to accompany dancing is ancient, and was practiced by both
the Greeks and the Egyptians. In more modern times, the bones and spoons used in Minstrel show and jug band
music can also be considered forms of the castanets.
Materials and shape
Castanets were originally made from chestnuts and get their name from the Spanish diminutive for chestnut.
Famous players
● Carmen Amaya
● Lola Flores
● Alex Acuña
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
​ María Sindín Vila