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GALLETA

Drum looking like the bombo criollo, but flatter as a big pancake. It is sometimes used in Cuba by carnival bands.



GARANDE

Dance known in Cuba since the 18th century.



GATATUMBA

Dance practised by the Black slaves in Cuba in 17th century.



GUAGUANCO

Afro-Cuban folk dance, only accompanied by percussions.
This dance is rhythmed by three congas : the tumbadora, doing the rhythmic basic ; the segundo puts in charge of the counterpoint; and the little quinto improvises.

The guaguanco is one of the three rumba dances (the others are the jambú and the colombia). The fast and erotic guaguanco is danced by a couple.

The term indicates also a specific rhythm.



GUAJIRA

This country music style is born in Oriente, the East aera of Cuba. Derived from the Spanish tradition, suffused with soft nostalgia, it sings simple ballades, in which interpretation is essential.

Original instrumentation is voice(s), guitar and small percussions. Later, a double bass and other percussions will be added, when while mixing with the son, guajira gives rise to the son montuno, slower than the son.



GUAPACHA

Variant of guaracha rhythms, which had its hour of glory during the 60ties.



GUARACHA

It is in the brothels and dives of the Havana port that this street girl grows in 18th century. The guaracha songs, with their texts stuffed with salacious allusions, are then pretext for a lascive dance hold in contempt by right-thinking people.

The lyrics convey humorous critical jugements about government in place or daily situations. Since its beginning, guaracha is like a popular magaphone, in which the Cuban high liver and satiric spirit affirms itself.

The happy guaracha will survive in the most popular neighborhoods, before succeeding in conquering places of better repute in the 30ties and 40ties of 20th century, because of influence of dance bands, or composers like Nico Saquito and Julio Guttiérrez.



GUATEQUE

Popular feast, joining together people who are there to dance, sing and to have fun.



GUIRIGAY

Spanish popular dance of the16th century.



GUÏRO

A long, dried and hollow calabash, carved on one its sides with deep scratches ; hold it in your left hand, and rub it in rhythm with a small hard wood stick held in your other hand, and here is the guïro.

This light and without claim percussion, very used still today even in electric formations, gives a specific charm to the orchestra and plays a role comparable to maracas. The guïro is often played by a singer or a chorus-singer : requiring a little strenght, it does not obstruct him while he sings.



GURUMBE

Old musical instrument, like a small bell with its tongue.
Also, name of a dance originating in Guinea.


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