How to Play Two Maracas in One Hand

The maracas provide a distinctly Latin flavor to any song. Maracas are percussion instruments designed to be held in one hand. Some maraca sections of songs require players to play two maracas simultaneously.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Grasp the first maraca firmly, resting it in the center of the palm. This will be the support for the other maraca and provide a pivot of a sort for the shaking motion.
2. Press the thumb against the side of the first maraca and put the index finger between the two. Use the remaining fingers to grip the handle of the second maraca.
3. Grip the maracas in a loose fist. The heads of the two maracas should not touch to avoid a collision between the two which would dislodge them from your hand.
4. Hold the maracas tightly and shake them to the beat. The hand should move on the off beat and the maraca should sound on the beat. Keep up with the tempo and shake harder to increase the volume slightly.
5. Use the free hand to play a cymbal or strike a tom-tom or snare. The two-handed maraca technique will add a touch of showmanship to any song.