Play the music all the way through one time, listening for the tempo. Tap your foot to pick up the rhythm before you start to dance. The maracas best accompany faster songs.
Position the maracas parallel to the floor with one in each hand and your elbows slightly bent. Experiment by shaking the maracas one at a time to the beat of the song. Each instrument in a pair sounds differently from the other, and you can shake them straight up and down or at an angle, in a fluid arc or at a sharp clip. Practice varying the sound with your movements.
Face forward and stand with your feet together. Step your left foot over the other to the right and shake the maraca in your left hand twice. Step your right foot over the other to the left and shake the maraca with your right hand twice. Sway your hips from side to side as you repeat the steps.
Position your body forward and shake the maracas one at a time to the drum beat of the song while moving your feet back and forth. Cross your left foot over your right ankle and spin around once while continuing to shake the maracas.
Repeat these steps, or throw in a few moves of your own, for the length of the song.