One of the great aspects of the Cuatro is making use of it’s percussive qualities. This is mostly known for the frenados which imitate the sound of either the drums or the maracas. In this demonstration you can see the percussive qualities of the instrument following the rhythm of Salsa. This can be used as an introduction or even as part of any Salsa piece. Take a look at the video and pay close attention to how the rhythm is maintained along with the 1 count of the metronome.
Salsa Percussion
To execute this, cover all of the strings with your marking hand on the fretboard of the Cuatro. Using your index finger and thumb, follow the strumming pattern conducted in the video. We have included a metronome in this lesson to help you keep up with the 1 count as it is very important to maintain the rhythm.
