JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.

Shakers, Rattles & Guiros

Browse guiros today at West Music! We have the perfect guiro, cabasa, or shakers for any application!

When it comes to finding the perfect additions to your classroom, shop West Music's array of percussion shaker instruments like rattles, guiros, maracas, rainsticks, shekeres, cabasas, and more. For toddlers and elementary-age students, musical rattles and shakers are sure to get your kids up on their feet and moving. These engaging hand percussion instruments are offered in fun shapes like ladybugs, butterflies, and even fruit and baked goods shapes. Every parent, teacher, and musician will be able to find something to suit their needs, no matter whether you seek a wooden guiro for home or one of our many kids' maraca sets for the classroom. Click through today to check out our fun collection of percussion shaker instruments!

*If you cannot view the products in this category, please click here

Your network security may be blocking the products from loading (to confirm, try opening this page on your phone's cellular network).

Please try the following options to proceed with your order:

Call us M-F 9am - 5pm CST to place your order over the phone at 1-800-397-9378.
Shop via a different browser and/or network connection (i.e. on your phone or with a different Wi-Fi network).
Contact your IT team to ask them to whitelist our js.klevu.com
You can also access our digital catalog here to find and add items to your cart (product pages will load normally).
- Use the search at the top of the Catalog screen to find a product
- Click a link to navigate the product page
- And add it to your cart!
You can also navigate directly to product pages by adding a 6-digit item number( i.e. "123456") to the end of our URL (i.e. westmusic.com/123456).

If you cannot view the products in this category, PLEASE CLICK HERE

Your network or browser security settings may be blocking the products from loading (to confirm, try opening this page on your phone's cellular network).

Please try the following options to proceed with your order:

1. To place your order over the phone, call us Monday-Friday, 9am - 5pm CST at 1-800-397-9378.

2. Shop via a different browser or network connection (i.e. on your phone or with a different Wi-Fi network).

3. Contact your IT team to ask them to whitelist js.klevu.com.

4. You can also click here to access our digital catalog. Use the search at the top of the Catalog screen to find a product, click a link to navigate the product detail page (product pages will load normally), and add it to your cart. You can also navigate directly to product pages by adding a 6-digit item number (i.e. "400278") to the end of our URL (i.e. Westmusic.com/400278).

Shakers, Rattles, and Guiros

Shakers, rattles, and guiros represent some of the most foundational percussion elements, offering a vast palette of textures and rhythms to music from all corners of the globe. Instruments like maracas, the guiro, cabasa, egg shaker, afuche, shekere, and the unique frog guiro bring their distinctive sounds and cultural significance to the table. These instruments are essential in creating the intricate layers of rhythm and melody that define many musical genres. Let's delve into the world of these captivating instruments and explore their unique qualities and uses.

Maracas: Latin American Rhythm Makers

Maracas, often associated with Latin American music, are among the most recognizable percussion instruments. Typically made from gourds or plastic and filled with seeds or beads, maracas produce a bright, cheerful sound when shaken. Essential to styles like salsa, samba, and son, maracas add a lively, rhythmic accent that enhances the music's upbeat and festive character.

The Guiro: A Staple in Latin American Music

The guiro, a staple in Latin American genres, is a hollow, open-ended instrument with parallel notches along one side. Played by dragging a stick or tine across the notches, the guiro creates a raspy, rhythmic sound that is as versatile as it is distinctive. The guiro's unique timbre and playing technique make it an indispensable part of the percussion section, providing the rhythmic foundation and melodic interest.

Frog Guiro: Whimsical Percussion with Educational Value

The frog guiro, often carved from wood to resemble a frog, adds a whimsical touch to the percussion ensemble. Played by running a stick along its ridged back, the frog guiro mimics the croaking sound of a frog, adding a unique and playful sound effect to music. Beyond its novelty, the frog guiro is used in educational settings to engage young learners and in professional settings for its distinctive sound.

Cabasa: African-Inspired Rhythmic Texture

The cabasa originates in African music and consists of a cylindrical core surrounded by a looped chain encased in a hard plastic shell. When rotated in the hand, the beads crash against the shell, producing a crisp, hissing sound. This instrument is widely used in pop, jazz, and world music for adding a subtle, shaker-like effect that enhances the song's texture and rhythm.

Afuche/Cabasa: Modern Take on Traditional Percussion

The afuche, also known as the cabasa, builds upon the traditional African cabasa design with a more durable, modern construction. It features a ribbed metal cylinder wrapped in a loop of steel ball chain with a handle attached. The afuche/cabasa is particularly popular in Afro-Cuban music, where it is prized for its sharp, metallic sound and the ability to produce complex rhythmic patterns.

Shekere: Versatile African Gourd Instrument

The shekere is an African percussion instrument made from a dried gourd encased in a network of beads or shells. Players can produce sounds by shaking, striking, or twisting the shekere, from deep, resonant thuds to bright, percussive rattles. The shekere holds a place of cultural significance in many African traditions and has been embraced by various musical styles worldwide.

Egg Shaker: Simple yet Versatile Percussion Tool

The egg shaker is perhaps the simplest yet most versatile of all shakers. Its compact size and ease of use make it a favorite among musicians of all ages and skill levels. Despite its simplicity, the egg shaker can produce a surprisingly wide range of dynamics, from whispers to more pronounced rhythms, making it a valuable tool for studio recordings and live performances.

The Rich World of Shakers, Rattles, and Guiros

Shakers, rattles, and guiros, from the lively maracas and the rhythmic guiro to the textured cabasa and the versatile egg shaker, enrich the music world with their diverse sounds and cultural origins. Instruments like the afuche/cabasa, shekere, and even the whimsical frog guiro, showcase the creativity and innovation inherent in percussion. Whether anchoring the rhythm, adding melodic accents, or creating atmospheric soundscapes, these instruments demonstrate the essential role of percussion in bringing music to life.