normally a güira consists of an open-ended tube with many sound-producing nodules protruding its outer (usual) playing surface. the body of the güira is generally some type of thin sheet steel. one commercial variant commonly called a torpedo is fully enclosed with tapered ends and is supplied with mineral or glass beads or metal shot inside to double as a shaker. given its unwieldy shape and the additional weight of tapered ends and shaker fill, using a güira as a shaker may be impractical. regardless of how it is used, its traditional main function is to propel the tempo, not only to add its uniquely swishy metallic timbre's sabor ("flavor").