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.
