Grello Finger Bell
€19.37
Gourd Thelevi
Price:
€18.51
Thelevi — West African Twin-Ball Rattle
The Thelevi is a percussion instrument consisting of two hard-shelled balls filled with beads, connected by an adjustable string. Held in one hand, you swing one ball from side to side around your fingers, creating a combination of sharp cracking sounds as the shells strike each other and a softer, continuous rattling from the beads within.
Construction and Materials
Each ball is made from the hard shell of the oncoba spinosa tree, a West African plant whose durable seed pods have been used for centuries to create percussion instruments and storage vessels. The shells are filled with ceramic beads that produce the characteristic rattling undertone when the instrument is played.
The connecting string is adjustable, allowing you to modify the length up to a maximum of 13 centimetres to suit your hand size and playing style.
How It Is Played
You hold one ball steady between your fingers while swinging the other in controlled movements from side to side around your hand. The dual sound — crisp shell-on-shell clacking combined with the gentler bead rattle — emerges from this simple but expressive technique.
Sound and Musical Use
The Thelevi produces a loud, cutting sound well-suited to rhythm work in both intimate settings and larger ensembles. Its portability and straightforward technique make it accessible to musicians of all levels, from rhythm teaching to community music circles.
What's Included
- One Thelevi with adjustable string connection
The Thelevi remains a foundational voice in West African percussion traditions, particularly in Ghana and surrounding regions.
Price:
€18.51
Gourd Thelevi — A West African percussion instrument from Ghana, consisting of two hard-shelled gourds filled with ceramic beads and connected by an adjustable cord. When played with controlled swinging motions, the shells strike together to produce sharp cracks while the beads inside create a softer, continuous rattle — a combination that works equally well in intimate settings or larger ensembles. Weighing just 50 grams and measuring 10 × 5.5 × 5.5 cm, it's portable and accessible for players of all levels, from rhythm teaching to community music circles. A traditional percussion voice that bridges centuries of West African musicmaking.
| Origin | Ghana |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0,05 kg |
| Dimensions | 10,0 × 5,5 × 5,5 cm |
| Materials | Ceramic - Gourd |
♪ Audio Samples ♪
Thelevi
Caution: Not suitable for children under 3 years. Please supervise older children. Beware of swallowing small parts, strangulation, material allergies, sharp edges and points! Use only for sound generation. No liability for improper use.
Care: Extreme temperature fluctuations, humidity and direct sunlight can affect the lifespan. Please store in balanced humidity to prevent material changes, mold and corrosion. Remove dirt with a damp cloth. Dry after cleaning and each use.
Disposal: Please contact your local waste disposal authority for information on environmentally sound disposal!
Thelevi — West African Twin-Ball Rattle
The Thelevi is a percussion instrument consisting of two hard-shelled balls filled with beads, connected by an adjustable string. Held in one hand, you swing one ball from side to side around your fingers, creating a combination of sharp cracking sounds as the shells strike each other and a softer, continuous rattling from the beads within.
Construction and Materials
Each ball is made from the hard shell of the oncoba spinosa tree, a West African plant whose durable seed pods have been used for centuries to create percussion instruments and storage vessels. The shells are filled with ceramic beads that produce the characteristic rattling undertone when the instrument is played.
The connecting string is adjustable, allowing you to modify the length up to a maximum of 13 centimetres to suit your hand size and playing style.
How It Is Played
You hold one ball steady between your fingers while swinging the other in controlled movements from side to side around your hand. The dual sound — crisp shell-on-shell clacking combined with the gentler bead rattle — emerges from this simple but expressive technique.
Sound and Musical Use
The Thelevi produces a loud, cutting sound well-suited to rhythm work in both intimate settings and larger ensembles. Its portability and straightforward technique make it accessible to musicians of all levels, from rhythm teaching to community music circles.
What's Included
- One Thelevi with adjustable string connection
The Thelevi remains a foundational voice in West African percussion traditions, particularly in Ghana and surrounding regions.
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