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Manfred Kaufmann
California Percussion
Equilibrium
Mark Yancich Educational
Professional Percussion Products |
Temple Blocks
Temple blocks are typically a set of five hollow wooden (or hard plastic) blocks of different sizes with a slit through the middle. When struck with a stick or mallet, the temple blocks sound pitches higher or lower, depeding on their size. The smaller the temble block the higher the pitch.
Although temple blocks are not considered pitched instruments, they can produce discernable pitches, and some temple blocks are actually tuned to the pentatonic scale. Most often, however, a composer will not indicate which temple block to strike, only which note should be higher in pitch. The temple blocks are larger and have a more resonant sound than the wood block.
The temple block originates in the east and is sometimes known as a Korean or Chinese block. The design above is one of simplicity although some temple blocks are ornately carved in the shape of impressive animals. Sizes can vary dramitically from around an inch up to several feet in diameter. Modern temple blocks generally are in sets of five and are tuned randomly high to low.
Many contemporary composers use temple blocks and they are as popular today as they were in the 20's when many early jazz players used them as an effective addition to their standard kit.
Vaughncraft's pro-series tambourines are hand made with the assistance of cutting edge technologies.
Our bent wood shells are solid hardwoods, made in our factory from hand picked prime species.
Quick, clean, chippy, fast, fun, crunchy, and very, very, very dry with a practical dynamic range, pppp to fff.
Maple is predominant, though we bend many types of wood depending on instrument application.
Our tambourine heads are calfskin, drawn to a fine tension and sealed against the elements. Many shell configurations are offered.
Most Popular Models Always In Stock!
Log Drums are also used for clave and palito patterns in many African and afro-Cuban rhythms. You can get sweet tones with mallets and do crisp stick work like a cua on the sides.
Drum sizes include:
Usually, the player will get maximum resonance when they hold the wood block in their hand while performing. Wood blocks can also be played suspended or laid on a well-padded table.
Vaughncraft's high-density mallets are unique among performance tools and designed and first produced over twenty years ago. Specifically to achieve the best sound from Vaughncraft woodblocks.
Over the years, players from all musical styles have made these unique performance tools part of their personal musical expression.
To discuss your needs or to experience the sound of our superior mallets and wood blocks
Block Clusters can handle an individual instrument and can also be used to muffle tone and intonation.
Vaughncraft's high-density mallets are unique among performance tools. They were designed and first produced over twenty years ago, specifically to achieve the best sound from Vaughncraft woodblocks.
There are three superior styles in our high-density 'WM' mallet collection:
WM-1 Black performance ball with a BRIGHT ORANGE band at the base of the mallet head. These are specifically for PICCOLO WOODBLOCKS. Highly specialized for this use, they are not recommended otherwise, but are essential for the unique performance requirements of these small, high-pitched blocks. WM-2 Black performance ball with a BRIGHT RED band at the base of the mallet head.
WM-2's have the broadest range application. They can be used on any of our individually tuned blocks, and are at their best in the mid-range block sizes, W-1.5, W-2, W-3, & W-4.
WM-3 Black performance ball with a BRIGHT GREEN band at the base of the mallet head. The WM-3's are meant for our very large blocks, and will bring out the full depth of sound these fantastic huge blocks offer. WM-3's are also the mallet of choice for our Russian Birch/Mahogany temple blocks for a true temple block sound, rich, dark, and mellow. Lastly, owing to their carefully balanced density, these are thought to be one of the best suspended cymbal mallets ever by players throughout the world.
Telephone: 440-877-9674
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In comparison to wood blocks, temple blocks offer a more deep, more resonant, mellow sound.
Vaughncraft Log Drums are finely tuned and crafted instruments that can be played by all levels of experience. Log Drums produce a primitive, resonant tone.
Softer than the sound produced by a temple block, the woodblock is a harsh and gritty instrument. The sound produced is clearly dependant on the type of beaters used. They are one of the simplest instruments available - essentially a block of hardwood with a carved slit two thirds of the way up the height of the block. Sizes vary greatly but generally woodblocks are around 6 - 7 inches long with the older versions having two holes drilled at one end in order to attatch a specialist clamp fitting.
FoamFlex Block Clusters
Over the years, players from all musical styles have made these unique performance tools part of their personal musical expression. Their use of these mallets has gone well beyond woodblocks, though that remains a principal reason why we at Vaughncraft continue to make them year after year.