The txalaparta today is a musical instrument used in Basque music. It is classified as an idiophone (a percussion instrument). In its traditional construction (known as the "txalaparta zaharra"), the txalaparta is made of a pair of long wooden boards held up horizontally on two ends and then beaten vertically with special, thick sticks based on the press handle, the "makilak" , held upright in the hands. On the two ends, between the long board and the supports, corn husks are placed for vibration.