by Janet Szczesny

Castanets have existed for at least 2000 years. Described as 'clappers' or finger cymbals, they were used extensively in ancient Greek and Egyptian cultures. Their contemporary name comes from the Spanish word castana , or "chestnut". Ranging in size from around two to seven inches, these handheld percussive instruments are made from small disks of metal, hardwood or nutshells which have been slightly hollowed along one side to increase their resonance. Castanets are often played by dancers, one pair held in each hand; their intricate rhythms match and articulate the steps of the performer. According to James Blades, the 'macho' (or male) pair in one's left hand plays a basic rhythm; the 'hembra' (or female) pair in the right hand articulates a full dance rhythm.
Although the specific origin of castanets is not known, their current history is clear: anywhere Spanish (and prior to that, Moorish) communities have traveled, these enduring instruments are usually found as, for example, in much of South and Central America. Another clapper (different in design, but similar in function) is the "clave", two rounded hardwood sticks which provide a central rhythmic element in many Latin American and Caribbean musics.
In contemporary western orchestral repertoire, the castanet is prominently featured in Leonardo Balada's "Three Anecdotes: concertino for wood-percussion or castanets and chamber orchestra" (1984) and William Schinstine's "Etude for Wooden Idiophones" (1968). Orchestral castanets are usually attached to handles so that they can be played more easily.