What is guiro instrument puerto rico?

The guiro is a percussion instrument that is believed to have originated in Puerto Rico. It is commonly made from a dried gourd that has been cut in half and has parallel notches carved into one of its surfaces. These notches produce a raspy and scratching sound when a stick or scraper is run along them.

The guiro is commonly used in Puerto Rican music genres such as salsa and plena, but can also be found in other Latin American musical traditions. In Puerto Rican music, the guiro is often used to maintain rhythm, provide accents and break up the melody.

The playing technique for the guiro involves holding it with one hand while using a scraper or stick with the other hand to produce the sound. The scraper is held at one end and is scraped across the notches while the guiro is held against the player's stomach or leg.

Today, the guiro instrument is made from various materials like plastic fiberglass and metal, as well as the traditional gourd. It has become a popular instrument used in many different types of music around the world.