Caxixi ExercisesCaxixi are the Brazilian (African) hand-held basket shakers. Pronounced "ka-shee-shee," these woven shakers include a hard-surface bottom/floor (originally a circular portion cut from a gourd) and a variety of fill materials - seeds, beans, beads, pebbles, etc. Made in a variety of sizes, the caxixi shown to the right are products of Latin Percussion (LP), the smaller version identified by the model number LP354A.
The exercises show two basic techiques, one with hand moving together in the same direction; the other with hand moving in opposite directions, similar to the motion associated with pedalling a bicycle. Several of the exercises listed can be performed in a "round" approach, with split parts assigned among two or more players. |
Caxixi Technique - Photos
Forward motion (away from body)
Below: Backward motion (toward body) 
Left: Sideways motion (basket wall sound only - soft or "fill" sound)
Below: Downward motion (rhythmic) 
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