Guiro for Hire

The guiro is a percussion instrument consisting of an open-ended, hollow gourd with parallel notches cut in one side. It is played by rubbing a wooden stick ("pua") along the notches to produce a ratchet-like sound. The guiro is commonly used in Latin-American music, and plays a key role in the typical cumbia rhythm section. The guiro is also known as calabazo, guayo, ralladera or rascador.