Meet The Cajom, the fabulous beat box.

My love story with The Cajom started a few years ago while I was visiting a Filipino friend in Manila. Since then, this instrument has become one of my most loyal companions!  It is time for me to present it to my Steemian friends!

Imagine an organic drum machine you never need to plug into anything. A drum machine so easy to use that anybody can learn how to play it well enough for some good musical fun, and this, within just a few hours of practice. A drum machine that you can carry around everywhere you go and jam along with other musicians anywhere, anytime. Too good to be true?

Nope…

Meet The Cajom!

1/ My first encounter with the Cajom

One evening, while I was stayingin Manila, a Filipino friend and I went out to a nice restaurant. In the background, a band was playing some smooth pop covers that lightened the atmosphere.  

As we were sitting at the opposite side of the room from the band, I didn’t really take much notice of them. But during the last set, I realized that there was no drum kit, despite a very natural drum sound guiding the music. I guessed the drum sounds came from pre-programmed sequences coming out of the keyboard. Yet, the sound felt really natural and warm. 

Intrigued, I went to see the keyboard player and asked him how he had managed to program such a smooth sound out of his synth. he smiled and showed me his seat: it was a box, but not just any box, it was a Cajom…      

Despite being quite active playing live music at the time, I had never encountered that instrument. I even didn't know it existed! I asked him if I could give try it. He explained the basics to me and let me have a go on it. Obviously, as it was my first time, I must have not been very good, but for me it was mind-blowing that such a basic thing could sound so cool. It felt that the beats I had in me could just flow without having to pass through an interface. It felt like an extension of me, so natural. 

As soon as I returned home, I went on internet, checked what was out there, and ordered one. Best 150 Euros I have ever spent! Soon I was able to let my body flow and become a living beat machine. Today, I gig with friends on a regular basis. 

2/ What is a Cajom ? 

A Cajom is just a box on which one sits on. I actually sometimes use it as a basic stool myself. 

A “Cajom” in Spanish means a drawer, a crate, a tray or even a bin. Basically, Cajom means “recipient”.  

It is believed that the Cajom’s originates from Peru. African slaves, deprived from their traditional drums, would use packing crates instead. It hooked also Cuba where it became a musical instrument played in various Latino styles. It crossed the ocean and boomeranged back to Spain where it became a major instrument in the development of modern Flamenco music.  

The cajom has evolved now, and entered nearly all music styles: blues, Jazz, folk  and pop/rock. It is even used in techno and electronic music. This beat box is just incredibly versatile. Once you are done reading this post, go to Youtube and search for Cajom... You will be amazed.

One side of the box is made of a flexible layer of plywood. This is the playing surface. On the opposite side there is a hole for the sound to diffuse in the room. The sides are made of thicker wooden wood. Inside the Cajom there are wires and sometimes little bells to give a rich snare tone.  

3/ How to play the Cajom ? 

What I find really magic about the Cajom is that if you have some rhythm in you and work on the basics just a few hours, you are ready to jam and have a lot of musical fun. So let's check out these basics!

In regards to posture, you can sit on the Cajom straight, or find a kind of swing balance. The back should always remain straight whatever posture your choose.  The first position is probably best, but I personally prefer to swing. It make me feel less static. Important: keep the upper part of the body straight to ease strain on the back.  

The position at which you hit the plywood surface will give you the tone. There are three main positions: In the mid high center, you get a kick. On the top sides, you get a snare sound. On the extreme top of the plywood sheet, you can get a snare with a snappier tone.    

There is also a variety of ways to hit the Cajom to bring nuances to your rhythmic riffs. You can even slide your foot on the plywood while playing to make some cool sound effects (a little like a sweeping filter).

I made a 2 minute video for this article where the Cajom presents itself. Then I show a few examples of easy but effective beats.

4/ How to Record the Cajom.

As a music producer, I had to find a way to record The Cajom. Just putting a mike in front of it without further thought, produces a sound that does not do justice to the instrument (like in the video). It took me some research before being able to record the warmth of the Cajom. 

The set up I use consists of 2 microphones. For the kick, I first insert a towel inside the Cajom and wedge a Shure Beta 91 on top of the towel . The second microphone is a Shure SM57 that I use for the snare sound. I place the SM57 place about 30-50 cm in front of the Cajom.  Both mikes are recorded on separate tracks for further treatment (EQ, reverb etc…).

I used this set up for a collab with another Steemian (@OneTrueBrother). I liked a song he had composed and that he was singing while playing his guitar. I asked him to send me the video, and was able to play various instruments, including the Cajom on top of the audio track. Here is the result.     

5/ What the Cajom did for me...

In my early 30s, I was a heavy gigger, playing live 2-3 times per months and touring with a  metal band in Zuid Holland. Unfortunately, I experienced an ear trauma during one of our gigs that left me with tinnitus and hyperaccousy. I had to stop all amplified music. Actually, I had to stop all music :-(.

After a couple of years, I was able to play music again but had to cross out playing with amplified bands, and that, even with earplugs. Too dangerous... Yet, I missed gigging so much!

The Cajom came to the rescue! Its great drum sound coupled with a moderate volume got me back in the game and allowed me to taste the same feelings again. Now I jam regularly, although this time it is not a career goal, but just for the pleasure of playing music with others.  

What I really like about the Cajom is that it has the same spirit as acoustic guitar. Portable, you can just bring your beat stool, and start grooving the place. Take a guitarist and a bass-man, add a Cajom, and you have a band without the need to set up a drum kit!

To be honest, I don't play drums at all, and thus, am not a very good player on the Cajom (my main instrument is bass). Yet, it is soooo much fun to play even with a small level. Anyone can groove the room! 

The Cajom and I, we are definitely friends... Forever!

Image credits

All pictures and videos are from me, apart from the Cajom pictures in the frieze and title image. The pictures of the Cajom used in the frieze are by:

• Muchinaespn (link)
• Gluckstadt (link)
•  AJ Cajones (link 1, link 2)
•  Ravenest13 (link)

Hi, I’m @muphy (see intro post),
My life revolves around music production, teaching sciences, and discovery through travel.
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