It is tuned very high to produce a tone that cuts through the sound of the rest of the bateria and is used as both a lead and solo instrument.

In Bahia it is played with two wooden sticks usually but in some cases also like the Rio-style (the bloco afro Ilê Aiyê for example).

The repinique is also often used by the musical director as a lead instrument, producing calls to which the rest of the bateria responds in a set fashion.

It is often played with the hand or stick and is used to alert the percussion section of rhythmic changes with chamadas (calls).

In samba, it is also used to assist the dancer in keeping the tempo and rhythm of the piece[1] The repinique is also used in American classical music as well.