Güiro

Güiro

A modern fibreglass güiro.
Percussion instrument
Other names	Reco-Reco, calabazo, guayo, ralladera, rascador
Classification	idiophone, could be made from wood, gourd, metal, plastic or fiberglass
Hornbostel–Sachs classification	112.23 (Indirectly struck idiophone)
Playing range
Speed of scrape produces some variation
Related instruments
guira Slit drum, washboard

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, which are made by scraping both up and down in long or short strokes. The güiro, like the maracas, is usually played by a singer.

Construction & Design

The güiro is a notched, hollowed-out gourd, which was adapted from a pre- colombian instrument. The güiro is made by carving parallel fluting on the surface of the shell of the gourd. 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. The right hand usually holds the scraper and plays the instrument.

Other meanings

Güiro is also another term for a shekere as well as the ensemble and rhythm used when playing this instrument. In Regla de Ocha, a güiro is a musical performance/ceremony that uses shequeres, hoe blade, and at least one conga to accompany the religious songs of the Orishas.

Gallery

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  Cuban güiro

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  Puerto Rican güiro

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  ‎Mexican güiro

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  A guiro for children

See also

• Latin American music
• Güira
• Orishas