How the jam block makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the jam block belongs to the struck idiophones: the body is struck directly – bells, gongs, xylophones and cymbals.
More broadly it is one of the idiophones, where the solid body of the instrument itself vibrates, without strings or a stretched membrane.
Its timbre – the colour that lets you tell it apart from other instruments playing the same note – comes from the mix of overtones its body and resonator emphasise.
From Wikipedia
A jam block is a percussion instrument developed as a modern, hard plastic version of the woodblock. They are popularly used for their durability when compared to the traditional woodblock. They were created by Martin Cohen, founder of Latin Percussion, after percussionist Marc Quiñones requested a sturdier version of the woodblock.
Jam blocks are usually attached to timbales and drum kits, but they can also be used as standalone orchestral instruments. They are often used in salsa and other Latin American styles, although some modern drummers have used them in rock. They are also often used to keep time during marching band rehearsals where they are popularly known as "gock blocks".
Other struck idiophones
Frequently asked questions
What does a jam block sound like?
As one of the struck idiophones, its sound comes from the way the body is struck directly.
What type of instrument is the jam block?
It is classified as struck idiophones (Hornbostel–Sachs 111.2).
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q3806379 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Jam block – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Anonymous Unknown author – CC BY-SA 3.0