Saint Paul Public Schools


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Brazilian Cuica

The most distinctive sounding of all samba instruments, the Cuica (pronounced "queekaa") is a small drum with a stick attached to the middle of the drum head which is rubbed by the player with a piece of damp cloth or cotton. The friction on the stick causes the head of the Cuica to vibrate and "squeak". The pitch of the squeak can be changed by applying pressure to the drum head. The mystery photo shows the interior view of the cuica.

http://www.bbiirrdd.fsnet.co.uk/balloons.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_15891_make-cuica.html