Everything about Maraca totally explained
» Maraca is also a genus of
tarantula.
Maracas (sometimes called
rhumba shakers) are simple
percussion instruments (idiophones), usually played in pairs, consisting of a dried
calabash or
gourd shell (
cuia - 'kOO-ya') or
coconut shell filled with seeds or dried beans. They may also be made of leather, wood, or plastic. Often one maraca is pitched high and the other is pitched low. Some have thought the instrument of prehistoric Moroccan origin, however there are in existence clay maracas used by the Mayan Indians of Mexico, 1500 years ago. The word
maraca is thought to have come from the
Tupi language of Brazil, where it's pronounced 'ma-ra-KAH'. They are known in
Trinidad as
shac-shacs.
Although a simple instrument, the method of playing the maracas isn't obvious. The seeds must travel some distance before they hit the leather, wood, or plastic, so the player must anticipate the rhythm. Band leader
Vincent Lopez hosted a
radio program in the early 1950s called
Shake the Maracas in which audience members competed for small prizes by playing the instrument with the orchestra.
Maracas are heard in many forms of Latin music and are also used in pop and classical music. They are considered characteristic of the music of
Cuba,
Puerto Rico,
Colombia,
Venezuela, and
Brazil. Maracas are often played at
celebrations and special events. In rock and roll, they're probably most identified with
Bo Diddley, who wrote the song "Bring it to Jerome" about his maraca player,
Jerome Green. Maracas are also very popular with children and are commonly included in the instruments of the
rhythm band.
Use in Classical music
List of Maracas Performers
Gloria Parker
Vincent LopezFurther Information
Get more info on 'Maraca'.
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