Maracas

The maracas is a percussion instrument usually played in pairs, one in each hand by holding it from the edges so as not to inhibit the vibration of the shell. Maracas are made from hollowed gourds tied to a handle for shaking and inside the gourd there are stones, beans or seeds. Different sounds can be made with a single maraca: it can be hit with one hand by making a hard deep noise or it might be shaken back and forth giving a lighter and echoing sound. If one hand is pressed against the leather top, the seeds bounce against the metal and shell inside making a tin texture. Sound can be louder or softer with a changing spectra depending on how hard or light the given pressure. Naturally tempo is a function of the rate of change of the shake and there are different techniques for shaking depending on style. Typically eighth and two sixteenths notes are associated with this instrument but in some music spins (rolls) are performed for a different color on turn around. To achieve a rhythm, a typical performer holds each maraca parallel to the floor with the elbows slightly out to the sides. To play softly and expressively, maracas are kept almost in the same position for a given time so as to be able to tap the round section with the index finger. Other ways of changing the sound include synthetic or plastic gourds, changing the number of beads or using stones of different size, dried seed or even pop corn seeds. A more natural sound is obtained with very small round objects instead of larger clunky ones. In general the maraca timbre is much dependent on body motions and muscles of its performer. (see figure 1).

Figure 1: Arm and Maraca Motions