Frog rasp, shekere, and castanets

Frog Rasp

 

The frog rasp is a type of scraped instrument.  It plays one pitch, but the volume can be changed depending on how hard you scrape the back of the frog.  There are many kinds of scraped idiophones, which add color to a percussion section. 

 

Listen to a sample of frog rasp:

 

Shekere

The shekere is a West African instrument created by covering a gourd in a net of shells, stones, or beads.  This is a great example of a natural, found object instrument.  If a musician lives near the seashore, they might use cowrie shells as in the picture to the bottom right.  The musician holds the end “handle” of the gourd while putting the large net-covered end in the palm of their other hand.  As they turn the gourd in their hand, it can play many rhythms as the beads or shells scrape against the side of the gourd. 

 

Listen to a shekere:

 

Castanets

Castanets are usually made of wood or plastic discs.  The discs are connected by a cord and played with the hands.  They can play very quick rhythms and are a hallmark of dances such as the flamenco. 

Listen to a castanet sample:

Photo(s) Attribution
Description: frog shapped guiro
Source: wikimedia

Audio Attribution
Description: Frog Rasp, Castanets
Source: Shakerman.com - Kerry Greene, Freesound - Satoration