they are sometimes used as a percussion instrument, as well. there's a wonderful percussion concerto (by a composer whose name, unfortunately escapes me), that I saw on a Boston Pops tv broadcast, played by Airto Moriera, in which he uses a pair of huarache sandals as part of the piece. whether it was an improvised moment within the larger written piece, I don't know, but it was perfect.


(whew.)


finally found it!

Pela Floresta
composer: Patrick Hollenbeck
commissioned by Boston Pops Orchestra, part of Evening at the Pops 1997

now to find more about it. amazing work.

here's a bit more:
http://main.wgbh.org/wgbh/pages/pops/schedule/descaug5.html

formerly known as etaoin...