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Jam Block

Classification	Hand percussion
Playing range
Single note .
Related instruments
slit drum, temple blocks, Log drums, muyu, wood block

A jam block is a modern, hard plastic version of the more fragile wood block, and is sometimes referred to as a "gock block" or "tempo block". It is sturdy, designed for hard hitting and is becoming more and more popular with modern drummers and percussionists, due to its durability and sound.

Jam blocks are usually attached to timbales and drum kits or are used as stand alone orchestra instruments. These blocks are often used in Salsa, Cuban, and Latin American music, although some modern drummers have made use of them in rock songs. Jam Blocks are often used in the marching percussion idiom as well.

There are various different colours of block. Conventionally, a red jam block has a low pitch, and a blue jam block has a high pitch. Larger jam blocks have a lower pitch than smaller ones. Other variations of this instrument include the stealth jam block and the guiro jam block, a combination of the guiro and low pitch jam block.

See also

• Wood block
• Slit drum
• Log drum
• Cowbell