# Is there a name for this type of percussion setup?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-type-of-percussion-setup/276653>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [November 25, 2004, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-type-of-percussion-setup/276653 "2004-11-25T17:29:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-type-of-percussion-setup/276653/1 "2004-11-25T17:29:06Z")

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The kind Sheila E. played? It’s two snare drums on a stand, one or more cymbals, and a cowbell or two. I’ve also seen the same setup used by a member of the Miami Sound Machine.

If I wanted one of these setups, could just go to the music store and say, “I want a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_” or would I have to piece it together myself?

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**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-type-of-percussion-setup/276653/2 "2004-11-25T19:13:30Z")

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Generically, you’re talking about Afro-Cuban percussion. This site even has a “Sheila E” line of drums (along with a variety of instruments from other traditions):

[http://www.tocapercussion.com/](http://www.tocapercussion.com/)

They were invented to call up the spirits (Santos, Loa) & they still do the job.

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**Author:** ![pokey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ebca7d/32.png) [@pokey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pokey)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-type-of-percussion-setup/276653/3 "2004-11-25T19:13:46Z")

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Maybe she puts snares on a timbale stand? IANAD.

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**Author:** ![pokey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ebca7d/32.png) [@pokey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pokey)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-type-of-percussion-setup/276653/4 "2004-11-25T19:25:21Z")

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Actually, yeah, if you google ‘timbale stand’ you will see your setup.

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**Author:** ![Freejooky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ba8739/32.png) [@Freejooky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freejooky)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-type-of-percussion-setup/276653/5 "2004-11-25T20:42:24Z")

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Timbales. They’re not snares, per se.

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**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2004, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-name-for-this-type-of-percussion-setup/276653/6 "2004-11-25T20:46:33Z")

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Thanks.