Talk:Cuíca

Watermelon Man
There's a cuica in "Watermelon Man"? What version? I've never heard it. dq 18:30, 27 January 2006 (UTC)

They are probably referring to the intro of Headhunters' funk version. But I thought that was blowing in a bottle and singing. Nixon - 26 February 2006

It is blowing into a bottle and singing. There is no mention of a cuica in the liner notes, but there are other Brazilian instruments mentioned (surdo, agogô, etc.). I will remove the reference in the article. Can anyone think of an alternate popular North American song with a cuica? I can think of lots of songs, but they wouldn't be considered popular. dq 15:59, 28 February 2006 (UTC)

Herbie Hancock - Watermelon Man - Headhunters

Sound files
While I appreciate the included audio files, I must say that I don't think they truly represent the style in which a cuica is played. Unfortunately, though, I cannot supply files that give a better example. I'm merely noting my thoughts here. GregCovey 05:19, 29 March 2006 (UTC)

I agree. Those are lame. We must find better ones the represent the true depth and feeling of the instrument. dq 20:04, 30 March 2006 (UTC)

Same here. Those sound files are dreadful and depressing.

Quincy Jones - Soul Bossa. The cuica in this song is off the hook! i Love that sound! Like some poor bastige hopping over hot coals!

European examples
I removed the Holland, Hungary and Italy references because the instruments referred to are not cuicas. Only the Brazilian friction drum is called "cuica". Other friction drums have other names and many of them, including all the ones that I removed from here, are listed at friction drum. Separate individual pages could be created for each type of friction drum if people feel the need. Saying a cupa-cupa is a cuica would be like saying that the mandolin, oud, and banjo are all guitars and putting sections about them all on the guitar page. They are not. They, along with the guitar, are all in the lute family. Mona-Lynn 20:44, 19 June 2006 (UTC)

American -> popular -> North American
Originally, the them "American music" was used in this article, it was changed to "popular"; however, I think this is too vague (MPB is considered to be popular), so I changed it to North American. I think the original intent was for native-English speakers (i.e. the readers of this article) to be able to identify the cuica in songs that they may have heard. So, if you can think of other Anglo-based songs that are not North American but rather British, Australian etc., please change the article accordingly. dq 22:35, 3 October 2006 (UTC)


 * Found one in a Jamiroquai song (a British band). I'll update the article. dq 19:41, 13 March 2007 (UTC)


 * I know it seems we're going around in circles (gira girou), but with recent additions to the list of artists "popular" works best. But lets try to keep the list a reasonable size, there is no point in having a huge long list that is longer than the article itself. dq 23:02, 26 September 2007 (UTC)

Nahuatl
I removed the line saying that the word "cuica" means "to sing" in Nahuatl and probably comes from that language. While that may very well be the meaning of "cuica" in Nahuatl, I find it highly implausible that the Brazilian instrument's name is derived from a Nahuatl word. I'm fine with it being reinstated, but with a creditable reference. Mona-Lynn 12:41, 23 May 2007 (UTC)

List of Examples
The purpose of this list is to help people who have never heard the cuica find good examples of one in popular music i.e., something from songs they might have. In light of this, I removed all of the Brazilian songs because if a person has access to Brazilian songs then they have most definitely heard a cuica and know what it is. I also removed a few other songs because they were from obscure bands/groups or don't have the cuica in them. "Soul Bossa Nova", while a popular song, does not have a cuica-- that is a human voice emulating one (much like "Watermelon Man"). I listened to "Stan" very carefully and there are pencil scratchings but that is not a cuica-- that being said there is something in the very background of the latter-half that kind of sounds like a cuica (same timbre) but since it is questionable it is not a good example of a cuica. Please, let's keep the list fairly short (at least not longer than the article itself) with songs that provide a very clear example of what a cuica sounds like. dq (talk) 03:17, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Usage in a game?
I could have sworn this was used in an Animal Crossing game. I was listening to its basic MIDI sound, and it sounded exactly like something I've heard in the games before. I can't remember where though, sorry. - J-Whitt (talk) 00:05, 4 July 2008 (UTC)

Os Mutantes and other Tropicalia
I realize that other Brazilian examples of the cuica being used had been removed from the list of examples, but i feel that a mention of Os Mutantes or Tropicalia music in general might be warranted here. I had to search for about 30 minutes online to try and find any mention of the cuica being used in by Os Mutantes or other tropicalia bands. Contrary to what some people believe, the cuica is not common knowledge to everyone who listens to Brazilian music. My problem was that i had heard the instrument but had no idea what its was. So if a mention of the band or the music genre could be worked into the article I think it might help a lot of people like me. Skatanic89 (talk) 05:48, 26 January 2009 (UTC)

IPA transcription
Although I'm not "fluent" in IPA, I don't think the current IPA transcription of the Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation of the word "cuíca" -- as [ˈkwikɐ] -- is accurate. The U and Í are separate sounds, with the U fully pronounced. The transcription as it is would probably be correct if the word were "qüica" (diaeresis used in spite of latest orthography rules, for illustrative purposes -- and to protest its removal from the language!).

Could someone who knows IPA correct that please? Thanks.

--Cotoco (talk) 01:59, 30 May 2010 (UTC)

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Cuica = Baldi
When i hear a cuica, i think Baldi 2603:6080:1D40:512:555:54C3:E97A:9EB4 (talk) 16:03, 10 June 2024 (UTC)