Ok so I do this loose funky gig from time to time which is formed from a pool of local muse's. Sort of standard funky heads and solo jams for a few pounds and some beer. Great players actually. Occasionally there this brass player who comes on the gig who looks at me evreytime during one of these gigs when it gets all groovy and mimes a tambourine action with an expectant look on his face as if to say "well, did you bring one for me to use?". I never do bring one, and anyway haven't I got enough stuff to haul around. Bring one yourself mate if you want to perform extra percussive duties. I think he could probably manage a box for his horn and a tambo.

He is a good mate actually so I am laughing to myself as i type, but do you kind of know what I mean?

A cowbell is part of my set and I often bring a block and a tambourine. Sometimes a 20" gong if I think there might be a place for it—my old band did "How Many More Times" and it played a big part in the ending.

I also have a box of shakeable stuff for when the spirit moves people, either on stage or off. There have been a few times when there's been a kid in the house and we gave her a shaker and it made her day—and her parents, who became return customers. My old band did "Funk 49" and we passed stuff out from the box for people to use for the breakdown, which sometimes went on for several minutes because people were grooving.

My setup requires three trips from the car whether I bring that stuff or not, so I usually do. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Al

Yes, what the situation dictates. I'll say this though - the more shakers and cowbells you feel would fit the gig, the funner the gig will be. :)