What is Cuica?

Cuica or Brazilian friction, which could also be called Laughing Gourd, is an unusual drum instrument that was first used in African music, and then got into Brazil and the Caribbean through a slave. Some suggest that whistling and almost corner sound produced by Cuica could have been used for practical reasons such as lions hunting. The sounds made could almost imitate the sound of the lion roar and could attract predators because the duck call attracts ducks. Cuica is very different in this respect. The traditional tool would be made of wood with the top of the leather, about 8 inches (20.32 cm) across. The lower part was hollow, so the player had access to the bamboo stick inside the drum and hung down from the center of the skin. Cuica player would wipe a stick with a wet piece of fabric and modulated the sound by clicking the top of the other hand. The sounds can range from the sound of the corners, as mentioned above, after whistling. A slight change in notes can be affected by the amount of pressure used on the stick and the measure in whichthe hand touches the drum.

If you are a fan of real music samba, then you probably heard Cuica; In most samba tunes, this is an important and necessary sound. For bands playing during the carnival celebrations, there may be a whole part of Cuica players and can march while playing, because many of these tools have attached shoulder straps. Although the tools were once made of wood, laminate or metal exteriors are also commonly occurring and drums can be composed of synthetic materials, although hiding is still common.

The unique sound of Cuica is very good to hear. If you do not have a sambuhudba hand at hand, visit pages like YouTube that contain numerous demonstrations of the tool and how to play. You can also hear the tool in several modern American songs. Of these, it is easiest to find the classic melody of Paul Simon, me and julio down at school studio . You can also hear Cuica used in the music of prominent reggae artists, past and contemporary.