The marimba is a percussion instrument with wooden bars struck by mallets, producing musical tones. Its range typically spans four to five octaves, and resonators amplify the sound.

Originating in Africa and later popularized in Central and South America, it’s used in solo, orchestral, and ensemble settings. Known for its rich, warm tones, it’s played with various mallet techniques to achieve different sounds.

The cabasa is a percussion instrument consisting of a cylindrical frame covered with beads or steel balls strung on wires. It is played by shaking or rubbing the beads with the hands, creating a distinctive rattling sound.

The cabasa is often used in Latin and Afro-Cuban music, providing rhythmic texture. Its tone can be altered by varying the pressure on the frame or the speed of shaking

The güira is a percussion instrument. It consists of a metal sheet with ridges or grooves, often shaped like a long cylinder. The instrument is played by scraping a metal stick or brush along the surface, producing a bright, raspy sound. It adds a distinctive rhythmic texture and is typically used in combination with other percussion instruments

The güira originates from the Dominican Republic, commonly used in merengue and other Latin music styles.

The cowbell is a percussion instrument made of metal, typically shaped like a bell, with a slit on the side. It is played by striking it with a mallet or stick, producing a sharp, ringing sound.

Common in many genres of music, including Latin, jazz, and rock, in countries in the Caribbean and Latin America.it is often used to add rhythmic accents or texture to a song. The cowbell can vary in size, with different pitches depending on the size and shape of the bell.

The steel pan, also known as a steel drum, is a percussion instrument originating from Trinidad and Tobago. It is made from a 55-gallon metal drum that is carefully shaped and tuned with distinct concave sections, each producing a different pitch when struck with mallets.

The steel pan has a bright, melodic sound and is used in a variety of musical genres, including calypso, soca, and jazz. It plays a central role in Caribbean music and has become popular worldwide in both solo and ensemble performances.

Maracas are handheld percussion instruments consisting of a hollow container filled with beads, seeds, or small objects, and typically made from wood, plastic, or gourd. They are played by shaking, creating a rattling sound.

Maracas are often used in Latin, Afro-Cuban, and Caribbean music, adding rhythm and texture. They come in various sizes and can produce different tones depending on their construction. Maracas are popular in genres such as salsa, merengue, and reggae, and are frequently used in both folk and contemporary performances.

A ratchet is a percussion instrument made of a wooden or plastic frame with notched ridges along one side. It is played by rotating a stick or handle along the notched surface, creating a distinctive clicking or ratcheting sound.

The ratchet is often used in Latin American and Caribbean music, as well as in orchestral and folk music. It adds rhythmic texture and is particularly associated with celebrations or festive occasions, often accompanying other percussion instruments like drums or maracas