MusiLLection

Traditional Spanish castanets, closely associated with flamenco dance and Iberian musical color. Castanets are widely regarded as a national musical instrument of Spain, with documented use dating back to the Middle Ages. Closely associated with flamenco and other Andalusian dance traditions, they function not merely as rhythmic markers but as expressive extensions of movement, shaping the emotional contour of the dance through sharp, articulate pulses and rolling patterns. Played either in rapid, rotary motion or in clearly articulated rhythmic figures, castanets contribute a distinctive percussive brilliance. Their unmistakable “Spanish timbre” fascinated many composers of the 19th and 20th centuries, who incorporated them into orchestral writing to evoke Iberian color and dance vitality. Traditionally, castanets were made from chestnut wood—the Latin castanea giving the instrument its name. Over time, other hardwoods such as walnut, rosewood, and ebony have been used, while earli...

A pair of traditional maracas, illustrating their classic gourd-based form. Maracas , almost always played in pairs, are among the most characteristic percussion instruments of Latin American music. Their soft rustling sound and flexible rhythmic articulation often mirror the dancers’ movements themselves, making the instrument as visual as it is sonic. The earliest maracas—today often grouped under the broader category of shakers —were made from dried gourds. When shaken, the seeds naturally contained inside produced sound. Over time, makers refined the instrument by hollowing out the gourds, scraping their interiors, and filling them with selected seeds, pebbles, or gravel to achieve greater control over tone and projection. Gourds were frequently chosen for their shape, as a natural neck could serve as a handle. Cuban maracas, reflecting regional craftsmanship and rhythmic tradition. Maracas belong to the family of “hollow rattles” and are among the oldest known musical instrument...