woodblock
A small, hollow wooden percussion instrument struck with a mallet to produce a sharp, clicking sound.
In Depth
The woodblock is a rectangular piece of hardwood (often teak or rosewood) with a resonating slot cut into one side. When struck with a hard mallet, it produces a bright, penetrating click that cuts through even the loudest ensemble. Different sizes produce different pitches.
In orchestral music, the woodblock adds rhythmic precision and colour. Copland used woodblocks in El Salón México and Appalachian Spring. In popular music, the distinctive click of a woodblock appears in countless recordings. Latin American music uses woodblocks (sometimes called caja china) as part of the percussion section.
The woodblock is one of the simplest instruments in existence — essentially a carved piece of wood — yet its piercing sound can be heard above an entire symphony orchestra.