SAMBA TIP: HOW TO CHANGE A CUICA STICK

Set of 2 thin gambitos for cuica, includes string Your cuica stick broke? Never mind, just put in a new one.Wetten the cuica skin in the middle around the bamboo stick until the skin is soft, then carefully open the knot with which the gambito is tied in and take out the broken leftovers of the stick.Sand down the new gambito a bit with a piece of sand paper depending on how thin you like to play it. Then place the stick in the middle of the soaked skin and tie a new knot. The skin has to be really wet and soft in the middle, otherwise you won´t be able to put in the new stick properly. Ask a sambista friend to give you a hand, it is easier if one person holds the gambito and the skin and the other ties the knot. With a bit of practice you´ll soon get the trick! Tipp:The cuica skin with the new gambito will need at least over night to dry (important! don´t use a hairdryer, heating or sun to dry the head as it will get brittle and tear), therefore cuiqueiros usually take a spare head with a tied-in stick with them. If it does happen, that your gambito breaks during a gig, you are prepared and just pop on your spare cuica head. Then you have time to change the broken gambito and until the next day your new 'exchange' head will be dry and ready again.