Güira
Encyclopedia
A güira (ˈɡwiɾa) is a percussion instrument
from the Dominican Republic
, generally used in merengue, bachata, and its subgenres, that sounds like a maraca or hi-hat
but in fact is a sheet of metal—in practice, often from a five gallon oil can—evenly perforated with a nail, shaped into a cylinder or torpedo-like shape, and played with a stiff brush, similar to the Puerto Rican güiro
, but more serrated. In merengue, the güira is brushed steadily on the downbeat with a "and-a" thrown in at certain points, or played in more complex patterns that generally mark the time. Modern cumbia
also sometimes features a güira. Performers on the güira are referred to as "Güireros".
brand Latin Percussion
, or LP, has released the LP multi-guiro, which is an attempt to combine the Cuban
guiro
, Dominican güira, and Puerto Rican
metal maraca, by putting the highly serrated edges of the güira on one side, moderately serrated guiro edges on the other, and enclosing the cylinder and filling it with beads. Despite its innovative approach, the mainstream Latin music industry has yet to see its use in a full-scale Latin setting.
Percussion instrument
A percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
from the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
, generally used in merengue, bachata, and its subgenres, that sounds like a maraca or hi-hat
Hi-hat
A hi-hat, or hihat, is a type of cymbal and stand used as a typical part of a drum kit by percussionists in R&B, hip-hop, disco, jazz, rock and roll, house, reggae and other forms of contemporary popular music.- Operation :...
but in fact is a sheet of metal—in practice, often from a five gallon oil can—evenly perforated with a nail, shaped into a cylinder or torpedo-like shape, and played with a stiff brush, similar to the Puerto Rican güiro
Güiro
The güiro 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...
, but more serrated. In merengue, the güira is brushed steadily on the downbeat with a "and-a" thrown in at certain points, or played in more complex patterns that generally mark the time. Modern cumbia
Cumbia
Cumbia is a music genre popular across Latin America. The cumbia originated in the Caribbean coast of Colombia, where it is associated with an eponymous dance and has since spread as far as Mexico and Argentina...
also sometimes features a güira. Performers on the güira are referred to as "Güireros".
Güira Making
There is something of an art to güira making (which, in part is credited to artisans such as El Buty http://www.merengue-ripiao.com/butyenglish.htm from the Dominican Republic),and also Guillermo Guira(One of thee most sought after guira makers).. Güiras are now custom-made into various shapes and sizes, even featuring special words and symbols on the specified güira. However, these güiras are more expensive depending on the amount of customization.Hybrids
In recent years, the musical instrumentMusical instrument
A musical instrument is a device created or adapted for the purpose of making musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can serve as a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates back to the...
brand Latin Percussion
Latin Percussion
Latin Percussion, also known as LP, is a brand of percussion instruments, specializing in ethnic instruments engineered and manufactured to withstand the rigors of use in a drum kit, orchestral percussion section, and similar applications...
, or LP, has released the LP multi-guiro, which is an attempt to combine the Cuban
Cubans
Cubans or Cuban people are the inhabitants or citizens of Cuba. Cuba is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
guiro
Güiro
The güiro 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...
, Dominican güira, and Puerto Rican
Music of Puerto Rico
The music of Puerto Rico has been influenced by the Spanish, African, Taíno Indians, France, and the United States, and has become very popular across the Caribbean and across the globe...
metal maraca, by putting the highly serrated edges of the güira on one side, moderately serrated guiro edges on the other, and enclosing the cylinder and filling it with beads. Despite its innovative approach, the mainstream Latin music industry has yet to see its use in a full-scale Latin setting.