Maracas - BYU Percussion Techniques Skip to main content
School of Music
Percussion Techniques

Maracas

Click above to watch how maracas are played.

Gourds filled with pebbles, rocks or seeds and attached to handles, have been used in a variety of cultures along with a wide variety of other shakers. Some maracas are made of wood while others are made of sewn rawhide. A variety of playing techniques can create diverse sounds and textures creating effects as well as rhythmic ideas.

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