How to Play a Vibraslap

Summary: A vibraslap, also known as a mandible, is a percussion instrument consisting of a piece of stiff wire that's bent into a handle-like shape and connected to a wood ball, which is then connected to a block of wood with metal teeth inside. When a percussionist holds the handle in one hand and strikes the ball, the metal teeth vibrate against the wood block, causing a distinctive rattling sound. This percussion instrument is the modern descendant of the jawbone and the vibraslap is frequently used in Latin American music.

When you're listening to a song and you think, "what is that cool rattling noise?" or "what instrument is THAT?" it's probably a vibraslap. If you can get your hands on one of these percussion instruments, our expert will take care of the rest. In this free video series, you'll get instructions on how to play a vibraslap, from constructing and holding a vibraslap to muting, sound effects and tuning. Vibraslaps aren't very commonly used, but they can be just the right percussion instrument to achieve a unique effect or style, or provide an added element that is missing from a song.