Rainstick

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Traditional Style Cactus Rainstick

A rainstick is a long, hollow tube which is filled with small baubles such as beads or beans and has small pins arranged helically on its inside surface. When the stick is upended, the beads fall to the other end of the tube, making a sound reminiscent of a rainstorm as they bounce off the pins. The rainstick is generally used to create atmospheric sound effects or as a percussion instrument.

1 Origins
2 Construction
3 Playing Technique
4 External links

[edit] Origins

The rainstick is generally considered to have been invented by Chilean natives in South America, and was played in the belief that it could bring about rainstorms. It was also used in 1521 by the Spainiards along the south coast.

[edit] Construction

The materials used to create a rainstick vary depending on cultural traditions and the plants and materials available locally, and also the cost of production in bulk manufactured Rainsticks.

Traditionally, a rainstick is made from the dried stem of a cactus, the spines of the cactus are pulled out, reversed and then pushed back in. Small pebbles or gravel fill the rainstick and strike the spines as they fall. Metal nails are also frequently used however natural cactus spines give a more tonal, musical sound.

Rainsticks may also be made from the stems of bamboo plants.

Bulk manufactured rainsticks – for example those often used for educational purposes – are often machined from plastic or metal, with the beads also being made from synthetic materials. This decreases the cost greatly.

[edit] Playing Technique

The rainstick can either be tilted, allowing the beads to fall, creating an atmospheric effect like the sound of rainfall – intensity varying with angle. It can also tapped to make a more controlled sound. Or it can be used to create percussive rhythms as a shaker.

[edit] External links

Make your own rainstick
There is an article in a Peruvian journal, Quepo (Roque & Ramirez 2005. Palos de lluvia y Cactaceas) which describes the Peruvian species of cacti used to make these instruments. YO!