Caxixi

The caxixi is a percussion instrument traditionally made with a woven basket cone attached to a circular piece of gourd.   The gourd functions as the primary striking surface.  Some modern versions use plastic or metal instead of gourd.   The instrument contains some type of "fill" material (beads, seeds, shot, etc...).  Sound is produced by the fill contacting the gourd surface when the instrument is shaken.  There is some ancillary sound from the fill striking the basket.

I dig the earthy and slightly imprecise sound of the attack as the fill strikes the slightly convex surface.

Holding a basket in each hand allows the player to play fairly complicated rhythms.  Playing a simple downbeat pattern along with a drumset "toms groove" can lend a raw ethnic flavor.   Try holding three or four to get a big sound.

Are there some creative ideas that you'd like to share about the caxixi?  Comment below.