 |
Puerto Rican Güiro
1990s
Traditional percussion instrument
This snake-shaped gourd is known as a güiro, a Puerto Rican percussion instrument played by scraping a pick across the series of ridges on its surface. A slot in the güiro allows its internal sounds to escape, adding to the fullness of the instrument's sound. A scraper can be made of fiberglass, steel wires, and/or hardwood. Güiros are used to play folk and popular music.
Notes
 |
Gourd painted with white, green, gold, and black paint |
|
The higüira tree is the traditional source of güiros--some contemporary güiros are made of plastic |
|
Web display only |
Learn more!
What do you think?
Would you like to see more objects like this on the site? Tell others by casting your vote.
|
