The cajon is a very versatile instrument that is very simple to play

Having said that...... it will help if you have a feel for rhythm.

When playing the cajon you sit on it and strike the playing surface or tappa in in different places and at different strengths to produce different tones.

Striking the front of the drum towards the center will give a low bass note, hitting the front of the drum higher will hive a higher note .

If the cajon has an internal snare fixed to the top part or the drum and will produce a crisp snare sound when hit at the top .

A high pitched crack sound can be achieved with some cajons when the playing surface is loosened from the body of the drum.

With all of these differing tones and sounds together with a basic beat or rhythm gives the cajon player a wide variety of sound from a very simple instrument.

Ordinarily there are three basic hits or ways to strike the cajon . The center for bass tones, the top third for a higher bongo type of sound and the very top for the crisp snare or crack sound.

Here is a short video demonstration of those basic patterns .