Maracas

History

If you’ve played the Felipe Femur Android app, you probably recognize what a maraca is, as a pair of maracas are one of the collectible items in the game. For those of you who don’t know what a maraca is, a maraca is a musical instrument in the percussion family with drums. The maraca originated in Latin America and it is commonly played today because of it being easy to pick up–easier than say a six string guitar or a banjo. Since most of us have been shaking our bodies our whole life, and a rattle as babies, playing the maraca comes somewhat naturally. We shake in the cold when we shiver, or with nerves when we’re about to talk in front of the class, and we even we shake with happiness, and when we play a pair of maracas it can make us even happier since music feels good to play and to listen to, leading us to want to shake the maracas more.

Traditional maracas consist of hollow spheres made from coconut shells and sometimes dried gourds that we see around harvest time in autumn. These coconuts and gourds are customarily filled with dried beans or seeds of some sort and are then mounted on a wooden grip. Modern maraca balls are also made of leather, wood, or plastic.^[1]

Today we want to show you how to make your own maracas using newspaper, balloons, cardboard, and other everyday materials.

Make Your Own Maracas

Materials needed:

Balloons (2)
Beans, aquarium rocks, or pebbles (30+)
Cardboard tubes (2)
Cups / Bowls (3)
Glue
Newspaper
Scissors
Water
Paint (optional)

Directions

To make your own maracas you need only follow these directions.

Step 1:

Cut strips of newspaper half a ruler long and a little less than a ruler wide. Make at least 20 for each maraca you want to make. (recommended 2, so 40 strips).

Step 2:

Blow up two balloons to about the size of a large orange and tie the ends. (You may have an orange in the kitchen for reference). Place the tied ends down in a cup each to hold the balloons up.

Step 3:

In another cup or a bowl mix together equal parts water and glue. Dip each newspaper strip in the mixture and then apply the strips to the balloons in a criss-cross fashion. Several layers will be needed to make the maracas strong. Cover all of the balloons except for a quarter sized hole at the bottom. Let dry overnight or until hardened.

Step 4:

As the balloons dry, you can prepare the handles using a couple of cardboard tubes from rolls of paper towels, wrapping paper, or foil/plastic wrap. Cut the rolls vertically 2 to 3 inches in, making four equal slits. The rolls should look similar to partially peeled bananas. Tape around the rolls where the cuts end to keep them from tearing further.

Step 5:

The next morning, with a toothpick or needle, pop the balloons. Once the balloons are flat pull them out through the hole in your papier-mâché balls.

Step 6:

Before sealing the holes with tape, drop about 15 dried beans inside. Small pebbles or aquarium rocks can be used in lieu of beans. Tape the holes closed, and then tape the handles onto the balls. The papier-mâché balls should be cradled by the crosses of your handle slits (bananas).

Step 7 (optional):

If you’d like, paint your new maracas any color you’d like, even add tissue paper fringe. In fact, after all your hard work, you deserve to decorate your maracas anyway you’d like.

^[1]Blades, James (1992). Percussion instruments and their history (Rev. ed.). Westport, Conn.: Bold Strummer.