| Name | Image | Description | Video |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuatro |  | The cuatro is the national instrument of Puerto Rico. It belongs to the lute family of string instruments. Very little is known about the exact origin of the Cuatro. However, most experts believe that the Cuatro has existed on the island in one form or another for about 400 years. The Spanish instrument that it is most closely related to is the vihuela poblana (also known as the Medieval/Renaissance guitar), which had 4 courses, 2 strings each for 8 strings in total as well as the Spanish Medieval/Renaissance 4 course citola and the Spanish laud. | |
| Maraca |  | Maraca, or rhumba shaker, is a simple percussion instruments (idiophones), usually played in pairs. The maraca is made out of the hollowed shell of the fruit of the "crescentia cujete" evergreen tree. A piece of wood pierces through the shell as a handle and dried seeds or pebbles inside rattle when the musicians shake the instrument. | |
| Pandereta |  | The panderetas, or panderos, are Puerto Rico native hand drums. There are three different sizes of panderetas. Each of them creates distinct pitches. | |
| Tiple |  | The Tiple is the smallest of the 3 musical string instruments of Puerto Rico. Most Tiples have 4 or a 5 strings and most tiple requintos have 3 strings. The main types of Tiples in Puerto Rico are: 1. Tiple Doliente (see image) - 5 single strings; the most common used today. 2. Tiple Requinto de la montaña - a tiny version of the Tiple doliente with only three strings. 3. Tiplón or Tiple con macho - the biggest tiple. 4. Tiple Requinto costanero - a smaller version of the Tiplón with only three strings. |
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