Güiro
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 Modern fibreglass Cuban güiro |
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| Percussion instrument | |
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| Other names | Calabazo, guayo, ralladera, rascador |
| Classification | Idiophone, could be made from wood, gourd, metal, plastic or fiberglass |
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 112.23 (Scraped idiophone, vessel) |
| Playing range | |
| Speed of scrape produces some variation | |
| Related instruments | |
| Güira, reco-reco, guacharaca, washboard | |
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The güiro (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈɡwiɾo]) is a Latin-American percussion instrument consisting of an open-ended, hollow gourd with parallel notches cut in one side. It is played by rubbing a stick or tines along the notches to produce a ratchet-like sound.
The güiro is commonly used in Latin-American music, and plays a key role in the typical rhythm section of important genres like cumbia and salsa. Playing the güiro usually requires both long and short sounds, made by scraping up and down in long or short strokes.
The güiro, like the maracas, is often played by a singer. Another type of güiro, commonly found in Brazil (where it's called "reco-reco"), is made of a cylindrical metal box that encases two or three steel springs. These are stretched over a lid, against which a metal stick is rubbed.
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Construction and design [edit]
The güiro, which was adapted from a pre-Columbian instrument[citation needed], is a notched, hollowed-out gourd.[1] The güiro is made by carving parallel.
It is played by holding the güiro in the left hand with the thumb inserted into the back sound hole to keep the instrument in place. With the Brazilian güiro, after frictioning the springs it's possible to make use of the prolonged reverberation, or muffle them with the fingers. In some models, the box also has a bottom hole, allowing the musician to change the internal reverb by covering it or not.
Other meanings [edit]
In Regla de Ocha, a güiro is a musical performance and ceremony that uses shequeres, hoe blade, and at least one conga to accompany the religious songs of the Orishas.[2]
Songs Featuring The Guiro [edit]
Oye Como Va by Santana Smooth By Santana feat. Rob Thomas Dance Sister Dance By Santana
Gallery [edit]
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Cuban güiro
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Puerto Rican güiro or güícharo
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Brazilian reco-reco
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Güiro for children
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ Sue Steward (1 October 1999). Musica!: The Rhythm of Latin America - Salsa, Rumba, Merengue, and More. Chronicle Books. pp. 6–. ISBN 978-0-8118-2566-5. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
- ^ Caudillo, Diane Elizabeth. Prayers to the Orishas. A Look at Santeria. 2007
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