Los instrumentos de nuestra m?sica latina

[abe]

I actually took a class in NYC once where we made our own chequeres from scratch to play them later. I wonder if the gourds that are used can be grown in the DR. The ones we used came from North Carolina, I think.

But it was fun--we hollowed out the inside, removed the seeds, etc. and then had to put a water and glue combination inside to sit for a while. Then when it's poured off, the inside is sealed and you can begin to make the netting with the various beads that create the sound.

It's a pretty common instrument and would make a nice DR souvenir even though it's not used in merengue or bachata --(I don't think.)

 

[Mirador]

... You are a palero yourself arent you?

Many years ago, driven by a mysterious passion for the local folk religion, I started crashing 'fiestas de palos' (pripr?s, man?s, brill?s...) carrying on my shoulder a palo drum and positioning myself among the paleros. At first I just stood on the sidelines, acting the role of a 'substitute' palero, then slowly I would imitate some of the simpler drum beats, until finally gaining enough confidence to join in...


pi pla, pi pi pla, pi pla, pla pla pla....


-

 

[azabache]

Here's one that should be included. My Dominican wife didn't even know about this one. It's a percussion instrument called a Quijada--pronounced quij? It is literally the jawbone of an ass to which has been placed inside dried beans or pebbles. It is played by striking it with the bottom part of your hand...makes a very unusual and interesting sound.