A rattle is a percussion instrument. It consists of a hollow body filled with small uniform solid objects, like sand or nuts. Rhythmical shaking of this instrument produces repetitive, rather dry timbre noises. In some kinds of music, a rattle assumes the role of the metronome, as an alternative to the drum.

This instrument was used in the ancient world. Today it plays a role in Cha Cha Cha, tango and jazz.

A rattle is an idiophone. Rattles are also used for infants as a toy.

See also

• ganza
• Hosho (instrument)
• maraca
• katsa (instrument)
• ratchet (instrument).