Pandeiros are used in bands playing many different styles of Brazilian music, both for rhythmic backing and as a solo instrument. In the hands of an expert, and miked up for sound, this little frame drum can do almost anything that can be done on a drumkit, and the pandeiro can be used in a wide range of percussion from samba to soul.

Pandeiro bodies can be made of wood, plywood or acrylic, and the heads can be hide or plastic. They should have triple jingles made of metal.

In general, lightweight wooden pandeiros with hide heads are good for small samba bands and stage work, whilst the big heavy plywood models with plastic skins sound best against a samba bateria (drum orchesta).