Combining the drumset with traditional timbales has become the norm rather than the exception. The reasons are many. When playing reggae, for example, the drummer can keep a loosely tensioned snare and strike timbales for the signature staggered-triplet rimshots--a timbre impossible to obtain from a loosely-tuned snare drum. For songo, the timbales inject authentic sounds and help the drummer emulate the sound of a complete percussion section--the same applies for mambo choruses, cha cha cha, and other Afro-Cuban styles. For players of world music, timbales contribute a distinct tone and offer a more defined pitch than double-headed drumkit toms.
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