Spencer PerillouxPercussion
Menu
A completed TAM-BURRITO beside a tambourine and cabinet liner.

Free guide · MyPercussionPath

The TAM-BURRITO

A simple fix for tambourine control: stability, consistency, and soft dynamics without the slip.

Technique learned from Matthew Howard, Principal Percussionist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Start the build

The problem

What this fixes

A tambourine resting directly on your leg can shift as you play, changing the contact point and making controlled soft dynamics less predictable. The TAM-BURRITO creates a stable, repeatable support.

  • Tambourine slipping
  • Inconsistent contact point
  • Unstable soft dynamics
  • Instrument moving between strokes

What you need

Three simple materials

  1. 1

    Standard bath towel

    Not a hand towel and not oversized. A target size is approximately 55" × 29.5".

  2. 2

    Strong tape

    Gaff tape, duct tape, or something similar. Not transparent office tape.

  3. 3

    Cabinet liner

    Optional but recommended. Use rubber grid shelf liner cut to approximately 19" × 12".

Step by step

Build the TAM-BURRITO

Prepare the towel

A bath towel laid out flat.1
Lay the towel flat on the floor.
A bath towel folded in half lengthwise.2
Fold it in half lengthwise, or "hot dog style."

Roll it tight

This step should feel strenuous. The tighter the roll, the better it works. It is easiest with a partner: one person holds tension while the other rolls. Working solo, kneel on one end and roll forward while pushing outward with each fold.

A player kneeling at the end of the folded towel to begin rolling.3
Kneel on one end and prepare to roll.
The first tight fold of the towel roll.4
Begin rolling forward while pushing outward.
A towel being rolled with outward tension.5
Maintain strong outward tension with each fold.
The towel roll being compressed tightly.6
Continue compressing as tightly as possible.
The completed tight towel roll before taping.7
Hold the fully rolled towel under tension while you prepare the tape.

Tape it down

Tape the center first to lock in compression, then tape both ends. Keep the roll tight as you go.

Tape wrapped around the center of the towel roll.8
Tape the center first to lock in compression.
Tape being added to the right side of the towel roll.9
Tape one end securely.
Tape being added to the left side of the towel roll.10
Secure the other end while preserving the roll.
A completed towel roll secured with three bands of tape.11
All three sections are taped. The core TAM-BURRITO is complete.

Optional but recommended

Add cabinet liner

Cabinet liner prevents the tambourine from sliding off your leg. Cut a piece approximately 19 inches by 12 inches and tape one edge to the TAM-BURRITO. It rolls and unrolls naturally with the device.

Cabinet liner positioned behind the completed towel roll.12
Cut cabinet liner to approximately 19" × 12".
Close-up of cabinet liner taped to the TAM-BURRITO.13
Tape one edge straight across the towel roll.
Cabinet liner wrapped neatly around the TAM-BURRITO.14
The liner rolls up naturally with the device for easy storage.
A tambourine resting between the towel roll and cabinet liner.15
Rest the back of the tambourine on the towel and the front on the liner.

In action

How to use it

TAM-BURRITO and tambourine resting on a raised leg.16
Place the TAM-BURRITO on a raised leg with the tambourine supported at a comfortable angle.
A player using fingers on a tambourine supported by a TAM-BURRITO.17
Play with hands or fingers while the support preserves the contact point.
A TAM-BURRITO being bent to adjust its playing angle.18
Bend it slightly to adjust the angle and break it in if it has trouble staying on your leg.
  1. 01Place the TAM-BURRITO on your raised leg.
  2. 02Rest the back of the tambourine on the towel.
  3. 03Let the front of the tambourine rest on the cabinet liner.
  4. 04Play with hands or fingers while the support holds the position.

The mechanics

Why it works

Controlled rebound

The compressed towel absorbs and returns energy predictably, unlike a hard leg or loose cloth.

Stability through tension

The tight roll creates a firm, consistent base, so the tambourine does not shift between strokes.

Non-slip contact

Cabinet liner reduces the lateral movement that causes tambourine drift while playing.

Where to use it

Orchestral applications

The TAM-BURRITO is particularly useful for excerpts that demand consistent tambourine control and clean transitions between dynamics while preserving a consistent quality of sound.

  • España · Chabrier
  • Carmen Suite · Bizet
  • Carnival Overture · Dvořák

Applying the support to specific excerpts is beyond the scope of this free guide, but this is a strong starting point.

Built yours?

Show me how it turned out.

Send me a picture on Instagram. You can also message me if you want help applying this approach to a specific excerpt.

@spencerhitsthings

For serious players

Preparing for an audition or professional season?

I'm developing a small-group coaching program for orchestral percussionists who want structured, expert guidance on excerpts, technique, and audition preparation.

Leave your information and I'll send details when it is ready. No pressure and no spam.

By submitting, you agree to receive details about Spencer's coaching program. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Percussion Microscope cover.

Want to go deeper on timing?

The Percussion Microscope

The TAM-BURRITO gives you physical consistency. The Percussion Microscope helps you see exactly where notes land relative to the beat and diagnose what is actually wrong.

Explore the timing system