Cognitive facts about everything / Arts & Entertainment / What is a maracas and how to do it

What is maracas and how to do it?

Музыкальный инструмент маракас известен уже много centuries. This is a traditional percussion-noise instrument of the Taino Indians, the indigenous people of the Antilles. Now maracas are especially popular in Latin America and have become an integral part of local music.

Usually, a person who plays maracas uses 2 instruments at once: one in each hand.

Maracas in ancient times

Originally maracas were made from driedCalabash tree fruit. The fruits of this tree, called "" iguero ", reach a length of 35 centimeters. Therefore, they were used not only for the manufacture of the Maracas, but also for the dishes.

Для того чтобы сделать маракас, брали плоды correct rounded shape. The technology of making a musical instrument was quite simple. Two holes were made in the fruit, the soft middle was removed. Next, the fruit was dried, and poured inside the seeds or pebbles. Each instrument had its own special, unique sound, and all because the amount of filler in each fruit was different. At the final stage a pen was attached to the maracas.

Maracas are still popular in many countries.of the world. Their production has not changed much. And now you can find these musical instruments, made of iguero, pumpkin, or even leather. Of course, they are also produced from modern materials, primarily plastics.

How to make maracas at home

Now that we've figured out what the maracas is,You can experiment and try to make it yourself. By the way, maracas are used not only as a tool providing interesting musical accompaniment, but also as a rattle for children. Long ago, people noticed that the pleasant noise created by the iguero processed fruits is able to interest and reassure even the most active fidgets.

Below are tips for making your own maracas.

For the manufacture of this type of musical instrument we need:

colorful plastic eggs (kinder surprise can be used);
any grains (buckwheat, rice, millet) or beans (peas, soybeans, mash); beads or beads can be used;
even number of disposable spoons;
white scotch;
markers or acrylic paints for decoration.

Making a musical instrument in stages

Making maracas at home.

Open the eggs and fall asleep inside the cereal or beads.
Glue two plastic spoons on the sides with white adhesive tape. In the first version, gently glue the spoons with one flat white line that divides the egg into 2 halves.
In the second version, seal the whole egg with spoons of white electrical tape. Try to get the surface as smooth as possible.
With the help of paints or markers decorate the surface of the maracas.
You can sprinkle the surface with glitter or beads using glue.

All is ready. Now the child knows what the maracas is and how to make it. To secure the material, let him try to make the second maracas on his own.

Coconut Maracas

In order to find out what the maracas is inits original form, we will need to put a little more effort. And all because we have to make a tool out of a coconut. In principle, the technology is the same as the previous version with eggs. The difference is only in the decoration of the coconut.

We need:

coconut;
beads, beads, dried corn or any other filler;
glue for wood;
sandpaper;
hacksaw for wood;
acrylic paints;
beads, glitter, or other decorative elements;
rope.

Manufacturing instructions are listed below:

Using a hacksaw, separate the top of the coconut. This is where the holes are.
Emery paper to treat the surface of the coconut and the top, which is separated.
Pour the filler into the nut.
Punch two holes in the lid and pull a rope or ribbon through them.
Now it remains only to glue the two parts with glue.
Spread the surface of the coconut again.
Decorate the maracas with beautiful patterns or elementsdecor. As an option, make the maracas hands with wooden sticks. Then one hole is made in the cover so that the diameter is suitable for the handle. And with the help of glue all the parts are connected.