Latin America Percussion Pack

The Latin America Percussion Pack brings a varied selection of hand-played and blown instruments together for shared music-making. Designed for classroom groups of up to 12 players, it gives pupils a practical way to explore contrasting sounds, follow a pulse and combine short patterns. The supplied 11-litre plastic box keeps the collection together between sessions.

Instead of every player making the same sound, the assortment allows an adult to introduce different instrumental roles. Shakers can maintain a repeating pulse, claves can mark a short rhythmic phrase and a tamborim can add a contrasting struck sound. Whistles and other blown instruments introduce another sound-making action, with each mouth-operated instrument allocated to an individual player during a session.

Children physically shake, tap, strike or blow the appropriate instrument, then listen to the result. A teacher can demonstrate a single action before inviting pupils to copy it, pause and try again. Comparing a short sound with a sustained one, or a quiet pattern with a stronger accent, connects musical vocabulary to something pupils have just heard and performed.

For KS2 and KS3 music lessons, the Latin America Percussion Pack provides a starting point for exploring Latin American instruments and ensemble playing. Listening to an appropriate musical example alongside the practical activity can give the sounds context. Families and music groups can also use the collection for small ensemble sessions, adapting the length and complexity of each pattern to the players' experience.

The range encourages shared listening as well as individual experimentation. Players need to notice a start signal, keep space for another part and stop together when directed. A simple repeated rhythm can become a group arrangement as different sounds enter in turn. The pack is an assortment, and contents may vary with stock availability, so the instrument list below describes the listed selection rather than guaranteeing every exact design. These are musical instruments for supervised use from three years, with small parts requiring particular care.

Explore Different Playing Techniques

Shake the maracas, seed shaker or egg shaker; tap the claves together; and strike the tamborim with its appropriate stick. Introduce each instrument separately before combining parts. Blown instruments require their own demonstration and individual hygiene arrangements.

Music Activities

• Copy a short rhythm played by the adult.
• Keep a steady pulse while a second group adds a contrasting pattern.
• Introduce one instrumental group at a time, then practise stopping together.
• Compare how shaking, striking and blowing produce different sounds.

Why Choose the Latin America Percussion Pack?

A mixed collection gives a group contrasting sounds within one stored resource. It supports practical exploration of rhythm, instrumental technique and ensemble listening, with activities that can be simplified or extended.

Perfect For…

• KS2 and KS3 classroom music.
• Supervised school and community ensembles of up to 12 players.
• Family music-making and rhythm activities.

Product Features and Listed Contents

Contents may vary according to availability. The listed assortment comprises:

• 2 Huancaya maracas.
• 2 samba whistles with cords.
• 2 pairs of claves, green and yellow.
• 1 painted six-hole Inca clay ocarina.
• 1 ceramic bird whistle ocarina.
• 1 six-inch ABS tamborim and 1 double-prong samba stick.
• 1 small seed shaker with woven handle.
• 1 Antara 13-note set of pan pipes.
• 1 egg shaker.
• 1 plastic storage box.

Specifications

• Product: Latin America Percussion Pack.
• Reference: PP682.
• Storage box capacity: 11 litres.
• Group size: up to 12 players.
• Age: 3 years and over, with adult supervision.
• Supply: assorted instruments; contents and designs may vary.

Care and Supervision

These are musical instruments, not toys. Supervise use because some contain small parts. Inspect instruments and cords before each session, keep cords away from the neck and remove damaged items. Do not share mouth-operated instruments between users without appropriate cleaning according to their instructions. Handle ceramic pieces carefully and store the collection dry.