Track 22 from Saydisc "Percussion Around the World" - notes from Maureen Hanke.
'Temazcal', composed by Javier Alvarez, features the maracas. Javier is from Mexico City and composes music that combines solo instruments and electronic instruments.
Temazcal means "burning waters" and is composed by taping several several Latin American rhythms and mixing them to create a very modern-sounding and exciting piece.
The word "maraca" is probably pre-Columbian Araucanian in origin and is now universally applied to instruments that we shake to make a sound. It is most associated with the rhythm section of Latin American music, particularly the music of Brazil.
The exact origins of the maraca are unknown but it is likely to have first been created from dried gourds that were filled with seeds or dried fruits. Over time maracas have been created from wood, wickerwork, metal or plastic and can contain beads, dried seeds, small shot or any rattling pieces. Maracas are created to be played in pairs, a female and a male. the male of the pair is slightly larger and holds more of the inner substance.
Temazcal has a long quiet introduction and just when you think nothing will happen - bang! The whole section is a build up to the maraca entry and sounds like a rocket launch as the pitch gradually rises. Once the maraca starts, it plays throughout the whole piece; it does not keep a steady beat but plays very elaborate and exciting patterns.
(In a music session ask the class what the music makes them think of and why. If this was the background music to a film, what do you think the film would be about?)
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