In its traditional form, a small group of musicians would play merengue on the accordion, the guiro (a metal scraper), and the tambora (a small double - headed drum).
Tradicionāli merengi atskaņoja nelieli ansambļi, ko veidoja akordeons, guiro (sitaminstruments, ar kuru iegūst skrāpējošu skaņu) un tambora (mazas bungas, kam ar ādu pārvilkti abi gali).