In a musical instrument of the cabasa type having a substantially
cylindrical hollow main body with a cover plate, and base plate, and a
handle connected to the base plate, wherein between the cover plate and
base plate along the outer surface of the main body beaded-string-like
sounding bodies are arranged extending in the circumferential direction,
which, when the main body is rhythmically shaken, by their movement
against each other and relative to the surface of the main body, generate
a tone, provision is made that the cover plate and/or the base plate are
provided with openings.