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Tambour (also called tambor or tambora, written in music as tamb.), is a technique used in Flamenco guitar and classical guitar which is designed to emulate the sound of a snare drum (Span. tambor). It is achieved by using a flat part of the hand, usually the side of the outstretched right thumb, or also the edge of the palm below the little finger, and sounding the strings by striking them rapidly just inside the bridge of the guitar. If performed incorrectly, the effect is similar to a right-hand apagado, or dampening of the strings.

An example of tambour in popular music can be heard at the beginning of the second verse of Your Time Is Gonna Come by Led Zeppelin.

Both tambour and pizzicato can be heard in Aconquija by Barrios.

[edit] Technique

1. Stretch out the thumb
2. Rotate hand and wrist rapidly, causing the side of the thumb to strike the strings.

Variation in tone can be achieved by striking different distances from the bridge and using different parts of the thumb (especially fleshy vs. bony parts).

Variation in chord texture can be achieved by selecting different strings to strike.