Cuica

Sound and Character

The sound of the cuica is squeaky, nasal, high-pitched, rhythmic, and unexpectedly “alive,” resembling a monkey’s screech or a frog’s croak.

Design and Features

A metal or wooden cylinder with a leather membrane stretched over its lower part. A thin bamboo rod hangs from the center of the membrane into the interior of the cylinder. The musician rubs the outside of this rod with a damp cloth or finger, causing the membrane to vibrate, while pressing their finger on the membrane next to the rod with the other hand to change the pitch.

Genres Used In

• Brazilian samba and carnival processions
• Latin American pop music and jazz