You're looking at the easiest musical instrument I've ever played. If you can tap your fingers and palms to a beat or are eager to learn, you can play the Meinl Snare Cajon and sound great doing it.
The Meinl Cajon is a wooden box you sit on and tap with your fingers and palms. The beat is accentuated by adjustable snare wires located behind the American white ash frontplate. You can adjust the amount of snare sound by turning the knob on the left side of the box. This moves the snare wires inside the box closer or further away from the faceplate. Closer to the faceplate delivers more snare sizzle.
The sound ranges from soft when you strike near the edges of the faceplate to booming when you strike dead center.
I've seen drummers play Meinl Cajon's in Latin, World, Folk, and Rock bands. The first time I saw a Cajon player was in a dark Blues bar. It was a shock to realize the cool, complex beat was coming from the box under a lone player at the corner of the band.
I'm sure there are superstar Cajon players who deserve fan adulation. But, if you're just looking for a musical outlet that doesn't require lessons on complicated instruments to sound good, and knocking a stick against the side of your head just doesn't do it for you, try the Meinl Snare Cajon. Who knows, you might get discovered in your own living room.
The Meinl Snare Cajon is a joy to play. Sit on the cushioned top and palm and tap away at the frontplate. You'll be amazed at the beats you can tease out of the box. I find it even easier to play than congas or bongos. The sweet spot is much larger, and it doesn't require any specialized sticks or technique.
Here's a view of the snare wires taken through the sound hole at the back of the Meinl Cajon. The handle outside the box moves the snare wires toward or away from the faceplate, which increases and decreases the snare sizzle.
