How to Play the 2/3 Polyrhythm on Maracas

Maracas are an easy-to-learn percussion instrument commonly used in Latin music, with a variety of interesting percussion uses. One of the most impressive techniques for the maracas, or any percussion instrument, is the 2-3 polyrhythm. The polyrhythm splits the two maracas, each playing a different rhythm instead of playing in unison or alternating.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 sets of different-pitched maracas
• Metronome

1. Use 2 different pitched maracas to learn and perform the 2-3 polyrhythm so that the difference between the two rhythms will be more obvious. Because maracas come in different sizes, you can use one maraca each from 2 different-sized pairs.

2. Hold a maraca in each hand as if you were going to play in unison or alternate maracas when playing a rhythm. Turn on a metronome to a slow, manageable beat (something between 60 and 80 beats per minute).

3. Shake one of the maracas 3 times per beat. Continue to follow this rhythm until you feel very comfortable maintaining it.

4. Stop shaking the first and shake the other maraca twice per beat. Continue to follow this rhythm until you feel very comfortable maintaining it. At this point, you may want to practice the rhythm of each hand while doing something else with the other maraca, just to practice maintaining a beat without concentrating on it.

5. Combine the 2 rhythms. Starting on the count of one, shake one maraca 3 times per beat and the other twice. You may count 1-2-3 on one maraca and 1-2 on the other, but every count of one should have both of the maracas being played.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't get frustrated when learning this rhythm. It takes a lot of practice to do two different things with your hands. Continue to practice at a steady beat until you get a feel for the two rhythms, and keep doing the 3 counts on the same hand and 2 on the other as switching hands may confuse you and be more difficult.