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This year I made my first trip to a gourd farm to choose some gourds to make shekeres. It was somewhat difficult finding the right shape and size gourds, which brings me to my question: What sort of shapes and sizes do you use for shekeres?

It seems like we want three spherical gourds of increasing size for a guiro/bembe ensemble and a longer, somewhat tube shaped one for a rumba shekere. But what is optimal for neck size and opening size, as well as body circumference?

Also, how do you like to do beads? I already had one with three pony beads on each stitch, in both diagonal directions, so I ended up making one to match that, but of course there's many different ways.

Does anybody use glass beads or other types besides plastic? My Cuban friends made one with seeds and shells, which I suppose is very traditional, but its not particularly durable.

I've seen some great pictures posted on the shekere thread (in particular the ones by fidelseyeglasses and bongosnotbombs, both with two totally different aesthetic styles..), so I know we've got some killer craftsmen on the board.

All opinions are greatly appreciated!

Thanks for the compliments. I love making shekeres, and I love going to the gourd farm.

This year I made my first trip to a gourd farm to choose some gourds to make shekeres. It was somewhat difficult finding the right shape and size gourds, which brings me to my question: What sort of shapes and sizes do you use for shekeres?

I use all shapes and sizes, I personally like big gourds, but I use small ones too. Round, oval, long, short, fat, skinny, big and small it's all good. I choose by feel. The gourd has to feel good in my hands, balanced, easy to handle and I have to be able to feel and imagine it as a good shekere while holding it.

It seems like we want three spherical gourds of increasing size for a guiro/bembe ensemble and a longer, somewhat tube shaped one for a rumba shekere. But what is optimal for neck size and opening size, as well as body circumference?

I never heard of rumba needing a different type of shekere. In rumba you mostly play the pickup and the downbeats so you might want a shekere good for that, but I've seen all different kinds used.
As far as neck size you need something you can grip. Also an often overlooked fact is that small necks make it much harder to clean the interior of the gourd. You have to get in there somehow. As far as optimal, I don't believe there is such a thing.

Also, how do you like to do beads? I already had one with three pony beads on each stitch, in both diagonal directions, so I ended up making one to match that, but of course there's many different ways.

I like using fewer beads for a looser sound and also to keep the weight down.

Does anybody use glass beads or other types besides plastic? My Cuban friends made one with seeds and shells, which I suppose is very traditional, but its not particularly durable.

I like wood beads and plastic. I don't like glass beads, but some people like them very much. I think they sound dull and are very heavy.

My personal opinion on making shekeres is it is more art than science, and gourds are natural vegetable products. All right man good luck, hope this helps, and don't be afraid to try something new or of making mistakes. It happens and that's how you learn.

Bengon, How to make a Shekere ...the possibilities are as endless as creativity. Every time I make one , I see other ideas pop up, and I have been making them for 30 yrs. It does help to know some design, craft and art fundamentals. As what colors complement one another, the different diagrams that exist, ofcourse there are those given color combinations from the Santeria deities. Personally I use glass beads..( good glass beads are hard to find) and on the contrary ,I find them to add brightness and a cutting sound especially on the concert scene , the extra weight that glass adds to the Shekere ...is very helpful in making the playing of the Shekere effortless. You really want to feel that you are in control , sometimes too light of a plastic or wood beaded Shekere , gets lost in the hands or if the net does not have the right amount of give or is too tight.... you may have problems. Also the right thickness of the gourd itself will give you that boomy bass in front of as mike.
Plastic fiber gourds, that's what they sound like.yaaak. Enjoy a beautiful craft.
Paz
Olsongo

Thanks for the replies guys. Very helpful..

I finished my first guiro about a month ago, but I think I need to re-net it. The skirt is too big and loose, as well as the stitching on the bottom is pretty shoddy.

Does anybody know what effect the neck opening size will have on the sound? One would think that a smaller neck opening would focus the tone as well as make it deeper- has this been your experience?

Tone mostly relies on the size of the gourd. Too small of a neck chokes the tone.
The gourds I have with the deepest tones all have decent sized neck openings.