Jingles are commonly made from brass or plated/steel alloys, while frames are typically wooden; some accessories also use plastic or specialty metal alloys.
Alternatives include jingle sticks, cajon-mounted jingle attachments, and multi-jingle plastic sizzlers—each provides tambourine-style jingle or sizzle without a full tambourine.
Steel jingles paired with goatskin heads are described as producing a subtle, gentle, voluminous sound, while brass jingles are characterized as warmer and more cutting.
They can be shaken or struck against drums, cymbals, woodblocks, or legs for rhythmic patterns; jingles can also be oriented or mounted to vary the sizzle (e.g., 'up' for medium sizzle, 'down' for maximum sizzle).
Examples include a Metallic Black Sparkle finish on a jingle stick and dark brown wooden frames on some tambourines.