Cuíca

Brazilian friction drum CuícaCuícaPercussion instrumentOther namesPuíta, QuícaClassification Membranophone, single-head tubular drum, conical, ring-screw-mount hardwareDevelopedBrazil The cuíca (Portuguese pronunciation: [kuˈikɐ]) is a Brazilian friction drum with a large pitch range, produced by changing tension on the head of the drum. Cuíca is Portuguese for the gray four-eyed opossum (Philander opossum) which is known for its high-pitched cry. The cuíca is frequently used in carnivals, as well as often in samba music. The tone it produces has a high-pitched squeaky timbre. It has been called a 'laughing gourd' due to this sound. The General MIDI drum kit provides cuíca sounds at the notes F♯5 and G5. Cuica sound History There are a number of styles of cuíca found around the globe. Its origins are disputed: Different sources trace it to enslaved Bantu people, with instruments like the pwita/kipuita in Angola, to Spain, and to Muslim traders – structurally it is identical, among other instruments in the same category, to the Portuguese sarronca, Spanish zambomba, Catalan simbomba and Balearic ximbomba. Characteristics Bottom view and stick of a cuíca The cuíca ha