Ganza:
A special, very loud rattler. Made of two metal dishes with their opened ends fixed to each other and filled with small pieces of metal.

Chocalho:
A rattler made of metal discs. These 'platinellas' are attached to a wooden bar or included in a frame.

Reco-reco:
About 25-30 cm long, opened metal tube with 2-3 spirals bent along it. Played with a metal stick pulled over the spirals. Also made from grooved wood or pumpkin. These are in a close relationship with the afro-latin Guiros.

Tamborim:
6” large, 5 cm deep high-pitched metal drum with plastic head on one side. In batucada usually played with single or multi-branched plastic stick, like a wisp. Often played a special turning-technique that makes the typical clattering sound in sambas. Very agressive and loud instrument. Also used in other samba styles like pagode. Than it is played with wooden drumsticks, hit softly. In this style is used like clave in afro-latin music.

Agogo:
Made of two metal bells of different sizes. Usually played with wooden sticks.

Cuica:
8" or 10" large, about 25 cm deep one-side headed drum-like instrument (mainly made of metal, with natural heads). This shouldn't be hit. It's speciality is the straw fixed on the center of the head, positioned inside the instrument. Played with a wet cloth pulled on the straw, that makes the typical 'hoo-hoo' sound in sambas.

Repinique:
10" or 12" large, about 30 cm deep two-side plastic headed metal drum. In sambas traditionally played with one short stick and with hand. In samba-reggae played with two longer, thinner plastic stick. The leader repinique player (not definitely the conductor) plays the sign rhythms to make the band start or stop.

Caixa:
10" or 12" large, 10-20 cm deep two-side plastic headed metal drum. There are various types. On the top or bottom side there are strings or snares on the head, thus it sounds like snare drums in drumkits. Played with two sticks. Large amount of these drums can be found in baterias, making a fizzing pulse in sambas. Samba schools mainly play their own rhythms on caixas.

Surdo
16"-26" large, 60 cm or 40 cm deep wooden or metal big drum, two-side headed often with natural skin. In traditional samba is played with one stick and hand. In samba-reggae lower (40-50 cm deep) are used played with two sticks. These drums make the heartbeat of samba, almost in the role of bass guitars.

Apito:
This is the samba whistle. Tri-tone samba whistle and common referee whistles are also used. It is important in organizing and conducting the band. The band leader and the section leaders make various signals to organize the band. The sound of whistles puts a special mood in samba music.