First of all, I apologize to my friend @cmplxty for taking so long to respond to his very kind and cordial comment in a musical post I published almost 11 days ago. Yes brotha, excuse me for the delay and never take too seriously when these things happen to me from time to time. It won't be the first or the last time. But always keep in mind that sooner rather than later, at some point, I will answer them. :)

The point is that for that moment, I didn't want to fall short with what I had in hand to respond to your inviting comment. Because if I'm honest, the truth is that I had enough between hands to please you big time with a very well-nourished reply. Only that afterwards, between one thing and another, I was sidetracked and distracted by other things that prevented me from answering you as soon as you deserve it.

It might not be in your forte of music but what’s the Spanish music that uses that little guitar in it? Is it the cuatro? I know Bertrayo makes them and would stab me for not knowing more about it but I listen to a lot of the Spanish radio in my area and I love the songs that have that small guitar in it but can’t really figure out what genre it is so I can enjoy it more.

This that you just read above in the quote, is what our friend @cmplxty commented in my post at that time. And I am very glad to be able to answer him right at this moment that that Spanish music that uses that little guitar. Yeah! the cuatro. In fact, it is indeed my forte. Among many other different genres of Latin music and our own Venezuelan autochthonous, vernacular and folk music of our country.

So, going back to your question. I will tell you that that musical genre you refer to and which you would like to know more and have the opportunity to enjoy more often. It is what basically all of us around here in these parts of the world would call and would be classified generically as the Joropo genre.

So if you want to find on your own more music related to this happy rhythm and party cadence where that little guitar that we call the cuatro is always present. The keyword to use on Google or Youtube will always be Joropo Llanero.

And in this way you can also enjoy a large number of multiple subgenres that emerge from the use of the cuatro and the great variety of other multiple folk instruments that usually accompany it within the vernacular Venezuelan music.

In my case, some of the joropo subgenres that I like the most and that I enjoy the most are those that are identified with the following names:

• Pajarillo
• Periquera
• Zumba que Zumba
• Quirpa
• Golpe Tocuyano
• Golpe estribillo
• Polo Margariteño

Among many others. But in the same way as with other worldwide musical genres such as blues and rock. I usually have a preference for those with a wilder rhythm and hard cadence that almost always invite you to dance. And these are precisely the ones that I will include for you in this vernacular selection. :)

I will start with this pajarillo first. One which occurs and go by in the way that I like the most. Spontaneously, improvised, lovely & wildly on the streets and accidentally without previous rehearsal nor plans. In a strong counterpoint in which the Venezuelan cuatro is accompanied by another of my favorite instruments of only four strings to interpret the authentic joropo llanero.

"Pajarillo recio con cuatro y bandola"

And now and just to establish some comparisons between the spontaneous and the rehearsed. The same pajarillo, but this time performed within the academic circles executed by a cuatro soloist accompanied by a whole symphonic orchestra.

"Fuga con Pajarillo"

Now let's watch and enjoy a creole zumba que zumba. Again, this one also executed only with cuatro y bandola. :)

"Zumba que Zumba Cuatro y Bandola"

And now an improvised zumba que zumba + pajarillo + periquera that was executed by an unknown great master of the cuatro that turned out to be an unexpected, formidable and pleasant surprise for his friends and hosts. ;)

"Cuatro solo"

Let's now see another periquera but this time executed with only cuatro and harp instead of the bandola. Taking into account that with only cuatro, harp and maracas, we already have basically all the main ingredients to execute a formidable, stout and vernacular joropo llanero.

"Periquera, Seis por Derecho (Arpa y cuatro)"

Let's take also the opportunity to show you a short segment of how a pajarillo and joropo llanero is danced when it's performed with cuatro, bandola, maracas, electric bass and a heap of vernacular & creole pride. :)

That's right. In Venezuela any space in the wild under the shadow of a couple of trees, just a few beers, a cuatro, a bandola and a pair of maracas is enough to launch a party to relax and have a good time.

"Party en Tucupido"

Oh yeah, and the bandola sounds almost the same as the harp. And it is much smaller, lighter and easier to transport everywhere as to jointly with a cuatro and just a pair of maracas it's easy to launch a party of joropo llanero anywhere. };)

"La bandola suena como el arpa"

So my dear friend @cmplxty. The other styles and subgenres of the Venezuelan Joropo as the Quirpa, the Golpe Tocuyano, the Golpe estribillo and the Polo Margariteño. I'm going to leave them as homework so you can investigate them on your own. Hahahaha.

However I will give you a hint as to where these variants of the Venezuelan joropo are performed. These are performed mainly in eastern Venezuela practically on the seashore and incorporate new instruments such as the accordion among others.

"Stories about the Joropo Sucrense"

Yeah, let's launch another one to make it even clearer. The wealth of our Venezuelan joropo and the use of the cuatro mutates and is enriched throughout our territory with all the customs and culture of each region.

"More Joropo Sucrense"

Last but not least. Just inform you about a quartet of compatriots who are true virtuosos of the cuatro and are capable of executing with it the most prodigious feats of the contemporary Venezuelan joropo. They professionally are known as C4Trio and you can find on Youtube and in many other academic places many more of their amazing performances many times accompanied by the best symphonic orchestras in the world.

"Periquera - Seis por derecho"

And now yes, last last and before saying goodbye. I want to share also a very short documentary with English subtitles which tells about how a small, humble and supposedly limited musical instrument like the Venezuelan cuatro is capable of reaching the top of musical academy and becoming a soloist and concert instrument in the hands of some virtuosos.

"The Spiritual Essence of the Cuatro"

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