Meaning of Vibra-slap in Music
A vibra-slap is a percussion instrument that produces a rattling sound. It consists of a metal rod with a wooden ball attached to one end, and a metal cylinder with metal pins inside attached to the other end. When the wooden ball is struck against the metal cylinder, the pins vibrate and create a distinctive rattling sound. The vibra-slap is often used in various genres of music, including Latin, pop, rock, and funk, to add a unique percussive element to the sound.
The vibra-slap is known for its distinctive sound and is used to create rhythmic accents and effects in music. It can be played by striking it with a drumstick or by shaking it to produce a continuous rattling sound. The instrument is often used in recordings and live performances to add texture and enhance the overall sound of a song.
Notable examples of songs that feature the vibra-slap include "Sweet Emotion" by Aerosmith, "Carrie & Lowell" by Sufjan Stevens, "Stubb (A Dub)" by Mr. Bungle, "Eyes Without a Face" by Billy Idol, and "Short Skirt / Long Jacket" by Cake.
The vibra-slap is considered a unique and versatile percussion instrument that adds a distinct flavor to music compositions. Its distinctive sound and rhythmic capabilities make it a popular choice among percussionists and musicians looking to add an interesting percussive element to their music.
So, in summary, a vibra-slap is a percussion instrument that produces a rattling sound. It is used in various genres of music to add rhythmic accents and effects. The vibra-slap is known for its distinctive sound and is often used in recordings and live performances to enhance the overall sound of a song.
CLASSIFICATION:
Idiophone, Shaken idiophone, Percussion instrument, Untuned percussion
HISTORY:
The vibra-slap is a relatively new instrument that is a modernized version of the jawbone. Due to the fragile nature of the jawbone, the vibra-slap was created to provid a sturdy alternative with a similar sound. It has been used primarily in popular music with several rock bands using this sound for the last several decades of the 20th century and into the 21st century. It is also popular in latin music as a substitute for the jawbone.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
The vibra-slap consists of a cowbell-shaped hollow box (acting as a resonator) and a wooden ball connected by a steel rod. The steel rod is bent in a an "L" shape that allows the performer to hold the rod in one hand and strike the ball with the palm of their other hand. The steel rod acts as a sort of spring that vibrates the box on the other end. The box acts as a resonating body for a metal mechanism placed inside with a number of loosely fastened pins or rivets that vibrate and rattle against the box, much like the teeth of the jawbone. The vibraslap is produced in a number of sizes using different materials such as wood, metal or composite materials.
SOUND PROPERTIES:
The sound is produced by small metal pins or rivets that can move on a metal frame and, when caused to vibrate (by shaking or striking), will rattle against the hollow box in which it resides, creating a chattering or rattling sound. The sound of the vibrations can be changed by rotating the box containing the pins.
RANGE:
Since the vibra-slap is an untuned percussion instrument, it has no range.
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