Canister-like rattles with handles, originally made from gourds or dried rawhide and filled with beads, pebbles, seeds and such. Hand-held and played in pairs.
Hand-held rattles or shakers, made from gourds, coconuts, wood, or rawhide, and filled with beans, seeds, or similar objects.
Instrument; Percussion. "Hand-held rattles or shakers, made from gourds, coconuts, wood or rawhide and filled with beans. Found throughout the Americas as well as Africa." (RM) In the modern Salsa music the maracas became on of the most important percussion instruments because they add a driving pulse in the high frequency spectrum. Perhaps their importance to Salsa is like the role of hihat and snare drum in Pop/Rock music. (uw)
Two small closed calabashes equipped with a handle and filled with dried grains. They are shaken to the beat, like rattles and make a characteristic rhythmic whisper, sweet and discreet but essential. Given that they require little physical effort, they are generally entrusted to the main or chorus singers.
Maracas are pairs of rattles that originate from South America. They are traditionally made of hollow gourds containing loose seeds, but modern maracas are typically found made of wood, leather or synthetic materials, and filled with beads or other similar filling. They come in pairs with a high/low pitch variation.
a pair of gourds filled with dried seeds.
(mar ah kahs) are a pair of shakers with the beads inside. They can be made of coconuts, wood, gourd or other plant materials. Venezuelan and Cuban musicians have developed maraca playing to a high art.
Latin-American rattles ( idiophones) made from gourds or other materials.
South American musical instrument. Pair of hollow balls or gourds with handles filled with hard pebbles. Maracas are shaken to mark the time/beat of dance rhythms. This instrument is found in South-American music as well as in music form all around the world.