Posted:
Sat Aug 19, 2006 2:57 pmby Toby
Hey everyone, i hope the sun is shining for all.
I was hoping that you could give me some ideas on the cowbell and guiro patterns out there. Maybe a little history if there is also.
Thank you
Posted:
Mon Nov 06, 2006 7:38 amby korman
I think I won't be telling anything new by saying that basic guiro patterns would be (view fixed font):
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
trr t t trr t t
used in cha cha
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
t t t t t t
seen this one used in sones
Guiro (and bell as well) are secondary timekeepers (clave being the primary), so they will play simple repetitive and clave based patterns throughout the whole section of a song. There are many bells with their corresponding traditional patterns - bongo bell, mambo mell, cha cha bell ...
I don't think you must look very far for the history - cowbells (or hoeblades) and gourds are common items in countrypeoples households. They just used whatever was around for making some music, just like they use old car's brakes for a conga. Tourist's guiro would be a comb and a creditcard! I've played one:)