guiro

[gweer-oh, gee-raw]

noun

plural

guiro 

1. a South American musical instrument consisting of a hollow gourd with serrated surface that is scraped with a stick.

Word History and Origins

Origin of guiro¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; from Latin American Spanish güiro, literally, “gourd,” probably from Taíno

Example Sentences

A cymbal, a guiro, a waterphone — they all have voices waiting to be discovered rather than being dictated to.

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From the guitarron and the requinto to the guiro and the tololoche, these are some of the instruments responsible for música Mexicana’s distinct qualities.

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As its hissing güiro, whistling gaitas and lively horns flow through Los Angeles, Noche de Cumbia aims to celebrate its roots, embrace its variations and encourage a night full of dancing.

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Central to many types of Latin music, the guiro is the heartbeat of cumbia.

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Alan Vega, a producer-songwriter who has worked with singers Estevie and Sofia Reyes, looks to the guiro as “the most important and most recognizable part of cumbia’s percussion.”

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