This instrument is traditionally played in Brazilian Samba bands. High-pitched, its tone has a squeaky quality that reminds this instrument’s own name. It is said to imitate animal voices (monkey).

A cuica consists of a small, one-head drum with a thin, light wood stick attached to the centre of, and perpendicular to, its head. Typically, the player uses its right hand to rub the stick up and down (with a wet piece of cloth), holding the instrument’s body at chest height with the other arm. The rubbing produces a vibration that the drum turns into a long voice-like sound. The left thumb can change the pitch of that note by pressing down on the skin of the drum near the place where the stick is attached.

Made by Brazilian number 1 percussion maker Contemporanea, this model is a professional-quality instrument. It is perfectly reliable and should satisfy any “cuiqueiro”, including professional musicians who play on stage or in open air parades.

It can be played with a strap.

Details

Aluminium shell
Diameter: 8 in
Height: 9 in (23 cm)
8 tuning rods
Weight: 2kg
Delivered with a tuning spanner