# Identify a percussion instrument.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-a-percussion-instrument/181245>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [June 12, 2003, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-a-percussion-instrument/181245 "2003-06-12T00:36:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\
**Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-a-percussion-instrument/181245/1 "2003-06-12T00:36:26Z")

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I’ve seen people playing a small instrument that I cannot identify. It has a handle. It’s wooden. At the top of the handle is a round cylinder about 4-5" in diameter and 2-3" thick. It’s wrapped in what appears to silver metal beads. It’s played by rubbing the cylinder part in the palm of the hand.

Any idea what I’m talking about?

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**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\
**Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-a-percussion-instrument/181245/2 "2003-06-12T00:45:24Z")

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According to my handy-dandy [Lark in the Morning](http://www.larkinam.com) catalog, it’s called a **cabasa.**

[Picture (about 3/4 of the way down)](http://www.larkinam.com/MenComNet/Business/Retail/LarkNet/shakers)

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**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\
**Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-a-percussion-instrument/181245/3 "2003-06-12T00:57:47Z")

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Yep, that’s it!

Thanks!