Ever since the 1970s and Paul Simon's 'Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard' I have been intrigued by this sound. And now, finally...I own a cuica! Your video will certainly help me get the most from it. Many thanks!
I'm here out of curiosity, Great tutorial. I just bought a Gopé 8" for my best friend's 60th birthday next month. I broke the stick on the one he bought when we were both 15 before he ever got to use it, and I didn't have the money to replace the head... I'm just going to put a nice vintage Brasil sticker from the '70s on it, gift wrap it and give it to him... This time I'm not going to touch the insides at all!
@@MichaeldeMiranda Thank you I hope that the Gopé 8" is a good choice. I heard that the 8" is easier to tune to compatibility with the other percussion instruments. I couldn't find the exact kind that he had, but these Gopé are made in Brasil so that's good. I just have to get a gig bag for it and that'll do it.
Rub it! It's coming! >.> ANYWAY Good introductory video. Been playing clave for a local band when they do some bossa nova pieces but I've been wanting to try something different. This may be just what I need.
I am picking up a cuíca and this was my first lesson! Thank you for your great instruction. This is enough for me to practice for a considerable time because I am not a drummer! I can’t wait to see more of your videos!
@NRHarris Thanks Norm! I have 2 cuícas at home. This the big one that I tune low, so I have a large range of pitches, like you said. The other one is 8" and this one I've tuned high and has a less range of pitches, but mixes very nice with other high-tuned instruments like tamborims, ganzas and caixas.
Excellent production! The tuning strategy of a Cuica is a bit different than a conga drum, as the pitch is variable via head pressure (more like a talking drum). Consequently, could you please give us a comment about how you tune yours? Do you try to tune it as low a possible so that with head manipulation you have the largest range of pitches?
Muito obrigado for the video! I'm in Brazil now and I just got my cuica. Just a question, my bamboo stick seems longer, would it help to trim the length?
Excellent, this was exactly what I was looking for! I was wondering about the grip of the right hand though. Do you want to have all your fingers in contact with the stick or is it more of a thumb-index finger pinch?
Olá Michael de Miranda. Obrigado por toda pesquisa feita no ritmo do samba. Gostaria de saber se ficou no Brasil direto pesquisando os instrumentos do samba ou ficou indo e voltando para seu país? Com quem aprendeu tudo isso? Thanks for all research done in the rhythm of samba. I wonder if Brazil was in direct researching the samba instruments or was going back and forth to your country? From whom I learned all this?
Hey Ginga, it is very difficult to replace the stick. Perhaps it will work when you make the skin wet so it becomes flexible.... but I would just buy a new skin with stick in it. I wish you good luck!
Dank je voor je supergoeie uiteenzetting over hoe de cuica ritmisch wordt gebruikt. Ik heb lang geen idee gehad hoe het ding eruit zag. Ik ken het uit de live versie van Mr Magic, door Grover Washington Jr (Live at the Bijou, fyi). Telkens ik het instrument hoor, zie ik het beeld van een stelletje apen, die lachend naar me kijken (of me uitlachen?) en beginnen te joelen. Ik ben daar blijkbaar niet alleen in, gezien het blijkbaar ook 'monkey drum' wordt genoemd. Ik had een vraag - ik ga zo meteen op je website kijken - of je ook tips hebt over hoe de cuica melodisch wordt gebruikt? Ik bedoel welke noten in een toonladder zal de cuica meestal aandoen? Dank je. Veel sukses!
Dank je, Gert. Er zijn een paar cuica spelers, die melodieen op de cuica spelen, maar daar moet je echt veel voor oefenen. Hoe harder je op het vel drukt, des te hoger de toon. Er zijn niet echt vaste tonen die op de cuica gebruikt worden, want er zijn verschillende groottes van het instrument en het vel wordt niet altijd even strak gestemd. Dus er zijn geen vaste noten van een toonladder die gebruikt worden. Heel veel succes!
How high do you tune a cuica? I have a little 6" one and the fundamental tone it plays is low; but, the head seems like it is cranked really high. I would like it to be higher, but I'm afraid I could break the head.
It is difficult to explain how high to tune a cuica.... I wouldn't tune it to high, because by pressing you get the high tone and the contrast is bigger. I hope you understand what I mean. I wish you good luck!
Hello. I haven't played cuica very often, but I just started getting into it again. However, my "push" stoke makes a completely different sound than my "pull" stroke - different pitch, and a buzzier sound. I've been experimenting with how much I'm pinching the stick, how fast I'm stroking it ... nothing works. Could there be something wrong with the stick?
Hello Doug, I don't know if there is anything wrong with the stick. It could be possible. Perhaps when you pull the stick has a more "raw" part... I've had this problem too when I started, but it was a matter practicing to get the same tension when I pull and push. I wish you good luck.
![A Cuíca [documentário de 1978]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/gQU0fW1_-Bw/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks Michael, excellent work. One of my favourite uses of the cuica at the moment is in the travelogue Brazil 4K - have a listen at 27.40 mins!
Ever since the 1970s and Paul Simon's 'Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard' I have been intrigued by this sound.
And now, finally...I own a cuica!
Your video will certainly help me get the most from it.
Many thanks!
Steve Burton I am glad that my video helps. I wish you good luck with this and enjoy it!
I just bought a small cuica yesterday. These are good excercises.
I'm here out of curiosity, Great tutorial.
I just bought a Gopé 8" for my best friend's 60th birthday next month.
I broke the stick on the one he bought when we were both 15 before he ever got to use it, and I didn't have the money to replace the head...
I'm just going to put a nice vintage Brasil sticker from the '70s on it, gift wrap it and give it to him...
This time I'm not going to touch the insides at all!
They are very sensible and once you break the stick you'll need a complete new skin unfortunately. I hope that your friend will enjoy your present!
@@MichaeldeMiranda
Thank you
I hope that the Gopé 8" is a good choice.
I heard that the 8" is easier to tune to compatibility with the other percussion instruments.
I couldn't find the exact kind that he had, but these Gopé are made in Brasil so that's good.
I just have to get a gig bag for it and that'll do it.
Rub it! It's coming! >.>
ANYWAY
Good introductory video. Been playing clave for a local band when they do some bossa nova pieces but I've been wanting to try something different. This may be just what I need.
Wondering all there years what instrument was used in Bob Marleys "Could You Be Loved" bought me here
Same, but Paul Simon's "Me & Julio...."
I am picking up a cuíca and this was my first lesson! Thank you for your great instruction. This is enough for me to practice for a considerable time because I am not a drummer! I can’t wait to see more of your videos!
I was in a samba band for a short time and there was a Brazilian guy that could get the craziest sounds of his cuica....
You posted this video 6 years ago its helping me today...
I'm glad that the video is still useful. Enjoy it!
@NRHarris Thanks Norm! I have 2 cuícas at home. This the big one that I tune low, so I have a large range of pitches, like you said. The other one is 8" and this one I've tuned high and has a less range of pitches, but mixes very nice with other high-tuned instruments like tamborims, ganzas and caixas.
This was very helpful. Thanks!
He estado practicando por primera vez con una cuica, y a este video me ha ayudado mucho. Muchas gracias Michael por tan excelente tutorial.
Muchas gracias, Anxo! Saludos desde Alemania!!
Best fucking video on the internet man bamboo sticks are cool
Cool! I have often heard the Cuica, but wanted to learn more about how it was played. A very informative video - thanks!
+Stu Humphery Thank you Stu! Enjoy the cuica!!
Great introduction! Thank you!
Your welcome!
Excellent production! The tuning strategy of a Cuica is a bit different than a conga drum, as the pitch is variable via head pressure (more like a talking drum). Consequently, could you please give us a comment about how you tune yours? Do you try to tune it as low a possible so that with head manipulation you have the largest range of pitches?
thank you very much for dis tutorial...Michael...
Do you have a longer and deeper tutorial into cuica?
Where I can watch/buy it :)
Love the way you teach
Unfortunately I didn't make any other tutorial about cuica....
@@MichaeldeMiranda no time like the present :D
Going to start a cuica circle, the idea seems to cheer my wife up too!
I wish you good luck with it!!
you said sorry in the end , but that was actually a cool sound that i liked :-) the variations in tone are the best
Well, I don't use all of my fingers with my right hand. When I want a high sound I use my thumb, forefinger and middle finger. Good luck!
Good luck with playing the cuica!
Muito obrigado for the video! I'm in Brazil now and I just got my cuica. Just a question, my bamboo stick seems longer, would it help to trim the length?
Thank you!! T be honest, I would keep the lenght the way it is. I wish you good luck!!
@@MichaeldeMiranda thank you!
Excellent, this was exactly what I was looking for! I was wondering about the grip of the right hand though. Do you want to have all your fingers in contact with the stick or is it more of a thumb-index finger pinch?
My man is doing God's work...
I wish you good luck!!
Olá Michael de Miranda.
Obrigado por toda pesquisa feita no ritmo do samba.
Gostaria de saber se ficou no Brasil direto pesquisando os instrumentos do samba ou ficou indo e voltando para seu país?
Com quem aprendeu tudo isso?
Thanks for all research done in the rhythm of samba.
I wonder if Brazil was in direct researching the samba instruments or was going back and forth to your country?
From whom I learned all this?
It was helpful for me. Thank you :-)
Hey Michael! Thanks for the tutorial. Do you know how to replace the stick. My son broke it.
Hey Ginga, it is very difficult to replace the stick. Perhaps it will work when you make the skin wet so it becomes flexible.... but I would just buy a new skin with stick in it. I wish you good luck!
Michael de Miranda got it. Thanks Michael
Dank je voor je supergoeie uiteenzetting over hoe de cuica ritmisch wordt gebruikt. Ik heb lang geen idee gehad hoe het ding eruit zag. Ik ken het uit de live versie van Mr Magic, door Grover Washington Jr (Live at the Bijou, fyi). Telkens ik het instrument hoor, zie ik het beeld van een stelletje apen, die lachend naar me kijken (of me uitlachen?) en beginnen te joelen. Ik ben daar blijkbaar niet alleen in, gezien het blijkbaar ook 'monkey drum' wordt genoemd.
Ik had een vraag - ik ga zo meteen op je website kijken - of je ook tips hebt over hoe de cuica melodisch wordt gebruikt? Ik bedoel welke noten in een toonladder zal de cuica meestal aandoen?
Dank je.
Veel sukses!
Dank je, Gert. Er zijn een paar cuica spelers, die melodieen op de cuica spelen, maar daar moet je echt veel voor oefenen. Hoe harder je op het vel drukt, des te hoger de toon. Er zijn niet echt vaste tonen die op de cuica gebruikt worden, want er zijn verschillende groottes van het instrument en het vel wordt niet altijd even strak gestemd. Dus er zijn geen vaste noten van een toonladder die gebruikt worden. Heel veel succes!
@@MichaeldeMiranda Dank u zeer!
thanks for the tutorial, now playing for the glory of the Lord with a new rhythm
How high do you tune a cuica? I have a little 6" one and the fundamental tone it plays is low; but, the head seems like it is cranked really high. I would like it to be higher, but I'm afraid I could break the head.
It is difficult to explain how high to tune a cuica.... I wouldn't tune it to high, because by pressing you get the high tone and the contrast is bigger. I hope you understand what I mean. I wish you good luck!
Michael de Miranda thanks, it just seems like everyone else’s cuica has a higher pitch without doing anything with the left hand.
What kind of cloth shall I use?
Well, I used a washcloth....
Thanx
Your welcome!
Hello. I haven't played cuica very often, but I just started getting into it again. However, my "push" stoke makes a completely different sound than my "pull" stroke - different pitch, and a buzzier sound. I've been experimenting with how much I'm pinching the stick, how fast I'm stroking it ... nothing works. Could there be something wrong with the stick?
Hello Doug, I don't know if there is anything wrong with the stick. It could be possible. Perhaps when you pull the stick has a more "raw" part... I've had this problem too when I started, but it was a matter practicing to get the same tension when I pull and push. I wish you good luck.
Thanks, man!
Could you be loved... :)
How to tune?
en uiteraard, als ik een raar instrument vind word het uitgelegd door een nederlander.
Por favor, envie me um email com a resposta.
Abraços.
Please send me an email with the answer.
Hugs.