Rattle (percussion)

For the rotating instrument, see Ratchet (instrument).

This rattle is made of leaves, seeds and coconut shell. It was made in Papua New Guinea. The rattle is tied around a dancer’s ankle and makes a sound when the dancer moves.

Pair of rattles from Mexico.

A rattle is a percussion instrument. It consists of a hollow body filled with small uniform solid objects, like sand or nuts. Rhythmical shaking of this instrument produces repetitive, rather dry timbre noises. In some kinds of music, a rattle assumes the role of the metronome, as an alternative to the drum. In Urdu it is known by the name 'chankana'.

This instrument was used in the ancient world. Today it plays a role in Cha Cha Cha, tango and jazz.

A rattle is an idiophone. Rattles are also used for infants as a toy.

See also

• ganza
• hosho (instrument)
• maraca
• maracitos
• katsa (instrument)
• ratchet (instrument).