Backed by us. Trusted by you.
Victory isn't given. It's earned.
We build our own instruments and carry the pro audio and video brands we trust, for everyone from first-timers to working pros, from your garage to the big stage. Started in 2017.
Valencia VZCA1 is a set of handheld flamenco castanets carved from teak, with a single sound box, V-shaped ears for comfort and the Valencia logo engraved on each shell. The set has a low pitch pair and a high pitch pair and comes with a drawstring carry bag, for flamenco and Spanish dancers, percussionists and music classrooms.
Valencia's tribute to where its name comes from.
Castanets are central to flamenco music and dance. A pair rests in each hand with the cord looped over the thumb, and the player taps them with the fingertips. Striking them with the fingers in sequence produces the fast, rolling rhythm the instrument is known for.
The two pairs are tuned differently. The low pitch pair, called macho, is played in the left hand and keeps the beat. The high pitch pair, called hembra, is played in the right hand and carries the more complex rhythms. Valencia marks the hembra castanets with a (II) on the upper part of the ear so the pairs are easy to tell apart. Teak gives the VZCA1 a rich, authentic tone with a natural matte finish.
At a Glance
| Brand | Valencia |
|---|---|
| Model | VZCA1 |
| Style | Handheld |
| Material | Teak, engraved Valencia logo |
| Sound Box | Single |
| Ears | V-shaped |
| Tonality | Low pitch (macho) and high pitch (hembra) |
| Finish | Natural matte |
| Included | Drawstring carry bag |
How Do You Hold and Play Castanets?
Loop the cord over the thumb so the castanet hangs against the palm, with one pair in each hand. Tap the shells together with the fingertips. Rolling the four fingers in sequence across the shell produces the classic flamenco roll.
Which Castanet Goes in Which Hand?
The low pitch macho pair goes in the left hand and keeps time. The high pitch hembra pair goes in the right hand and plays the detail. On the VZCA1 the hembra castanets are marked with a (II) on the ear.
Who Are the Valencia VZCA1 Castanets For?
Flamenco and Spanish dance students and performers, percussionists who need castanets for orchestral or Latin work, and music teachers introducing Spanish rhythms in class.
Specifications
| Shell | Teak |
|---|---|
| Size | 6.55 cm W x 9.8 cm H x 3.05 cm D |
| Ears | V-shaped |
| Sound Box | Single |
| Finish | Natural matte |
Why Valencia
Valencia has built nylon string classical guitars since 1972, starting in Melbourne, Australia, and now produces them in its own factory in Surabaya, Indonesia. The VZCA1 castanets, introduced in 2023, are a nod to the Spanish guitar tradition the brand is named for.