Challenge percussion! A collection of songs I want to play on the cajón
The cajón, a musical instrument born in Peru.
At first glance it looks like a wooden box, and it’s a percussion instrument you play while sitting on it like a chair.
Its hallmark is that the sound changes depending on where you strike it—the center of the playing surface, the upper area, the lower area, and so on.
And the best thing about the cajón is how easy and casual it is to play!
Just move both hands rhythmically and you can groove right along with the music.
It’s a great instrument not only for adults but also for small children.
In this article, we’ve put together a selection of songs we’d love for you to try playing on the cajón.
Whether you’re a beginner or someone getting more comfortable with the cajón, be sure to read to the end!
Challenge percussion! A collection of songs I want to play on the cajón (1–10)
Racing into the NightYOASOBI
It’s one of YOASOBI’s signature songs and a massive hit that became a social phenomenon! The original features a dance beat built on programmed sounds, but you can nail this one on cajón too! The basic groove is straight four-on-the-floor, so when playing on cajón, the hand hitting the low tones doesn’t have to alternate left and right, which makes it easier to play.
The transitions between sections and the accents right before the chorus are a bit more complex in sticking, but if you lock them in, you can perform it really coolly!
Marunouchi SadisticShiina Ringo
Among Tokyo Jihen’s songs, this one stands out as especially jazzy, with a distinctly mature atmosphere.
While the original is, of course, performed on a drum set, playing this mood-rich piece on cajón is stylish and cool as well.
The key point to watch when performing it is to keep the swing feel in mind so you don’t lose the jazz flavor.
If you can recreate on the cajón what would be ghost notes in drum set playing, you can enhance the groove even more.
The One and Only Flower in the WorldSMAP
Released in 2002, this is one of SMAP’s signature songs and is widely known across all ages.
It’s a mid-tempo number with a simple, beat-driven structure, making it easy for beginners to play.
Be sure to practice the accent hits that appear throughout the song repeatedly so you can lock them in tightly.
It works well as an instrumental duet with piano, and pairing it with guitar-and-vocal performance is also recommended.
Passion ContinentHakasé Tarō
Among the pieces performed by Taro Hakase, the most well-known is undoubtedly “Jounetsu Tairiku” (“Passion Continent”)! This track features a distinctive Latin-style rhythm, making it a perfect fit for the cajón.
While the basic groove is an easy-to-play four-on-the-floor beat, the patterns that incorporate fine, accenting rhythms are uniquely suited to the cajón.
Locking in the key hits with the other instruments at crucial moments makes the performance even cooler.
If you have chances to play with piano or violin, this is definitely a piece you should try practicing.
TAKARAJIMAT-SQUARE
I’m sure many T-SQUARE fans—and even people who’ve played in wind ensembles—are familiar with this song.
It’s one of those classic instrumental pieces with an upbeat, catchy melody line that feels great! If you build a detailed, cajón-like beat using phrases that echo the original drum part’s 16th-note hi-hat, it should bring the overall groove of the track together.
It would look and sound awesome performed alongside guitar, piano, saxophone, and other instruments!
Fortune Cookie in LoveAKB48
This is a song by AKB48 with Rino Sashihara as center that became hugely popular when it was released.
It’s a well-known track with a relatively slow tempo, so it should be easy for beginners to play.
For those just starting out, I recommend playing a beat that reproduces the four-on-the-floor bass drum pattern from the original.
If you’re comfortable with cajón playing, feel free to perform it with your own arranged beat.
Try discussing and arranging it together with the members you’ll be performing with.
LemonYonezu Kenshi
This is the song that helped ignite the popularity of singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu, and it’s one that many people of all ages know! In the original track, you can hear a beat that can be played on drums.
By switching between three tones—low, and two kinds of highs with different dynamics—you can reproduce that drum-playable beat on the cajón as is.
Carefully listening to the original beat and converting it so it can be played on the cajón is a fun process, and once you can do this, you’ll be able to play all kinds of pop songs on the cajón!