Can I Learn the Cuatro in 10 Minutes?

Can I learn the Cuatro in ten minutes?... no.
But we can have some fun jamming and learn a bit along the way.

My guitar course - GuitarQuest!

The channel is supported in part by Sweetwater’s affiliate program. Thanks for that!

This was filmed in early 2020 well before shelter-in-place and in a very compressed timeframe before the museum opened for the day and a flood of children on field trips took over. As soon as travel and public gatherings resume, we highly recommend going to visit the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona to celebrate their 10-year anniversary.

Also...

[matankesselman]

Next up: Rob Scallon learns mongolian throat singing.

[Gamer]

Being a Puerto Rican, of course he didn't play the instrument to its authentic roots, but FLASH NEWS... he's not a Puerto Rican, he just picked up the instrument and started to familiarize with it. I'm just happy that the instrument got more recognition and people that are truly interested will continue to do the research and find the amazing history behind the Cuatro!

Love your content Rob!

[shaunrunciman]

Rob: “hey can I have a look at thi-“ *starts playing rain on a new instrument*

[D-Man_Jam]

_"It used to have 4 strings, now it has 10."_

Sounds like what happens to a bass when you give it to Davie.

[InformatrIIcks]

I loved that "ok, now i'm useless" face the guy made just after singing the melody and rob instantly got it and started jamming

[p_anr]

“Its a little difficult for figerstyle”
rob: plays
“well clearly not for you”

[ndro]

other musicians: "I practiced for 40 hours today"
Rob: "I just mastered a new instrument in 10 minutes"

[Nelkhael]

Puerto Rican and Cuatro player here. Love the respectful way this man is talking about our national instrument. He knows his stuff. Also, playing the Cuatro without a pick is an act of bravery since it would just mean death to your fingers. Props to you for that and for getting some sound out of the instrument almost right after picking it up.

[jylan]

He couldn't learn it in 10 minutes, he learned it instantly.

[twinklestar]

I might just be drunk, but just thinking about how there's a Rob Scallon out in the world almost makes me tear up.

He's super talented, but humble in that sincere way that you know he practices so hard.
He's so enthusiastic and present that it brings out the cutest bits in his guests. I love when when he gets experts to perk up. He goes for it, and they love that.

I could probably wax on but I honestly think you are doing the best you.

[DavidNwokoye]

Instrument: *Exists*
Rob: "I must learn it"

[ollie_bot]

“Can I learn the Cuatro in 10 minutes?”
Thumbnail: “No.”
Video: “Yes.”

[MrMaelvis]

Rob "Something Like That" Scallon

[tiaanengelbrecht]

If this channel becomes an instrument history channel, I'm ALL FOR IT

[EdgardoMusic]

I really appreciate your interest in our national instrument "Cuatro Puertorriqueño". But the museum curator has no idea about the rhythms played on the Cuatro and it's not the clave. The piece he was trying to show you is called "Verde Luz" and is a Puerto Rican Danza written by Antonio Caban Vale "El Topo". I would like that someone who knows well the theme and who knows how to play, can teach you properly. Thank you for your interest in our music; it is beautiful your honest interest about music.
PS: When the pandemic has been resolved, I invite you to visit our island; you will have fun and I promise that you will fall in love with ours musical culture.

[alyssonfranqui]

I'm from Puerto Rico and I play the cuatro. The realization he came to about the tuning, comparing it to a 5 string bass is the same way I describe it to others who ask me about the cuatro. "Think about it like a 5 string bass." And the cuatro is such a versatile instrument that can be used for so many different genres. I've played 80s rock music on the cuatro. Really happy Rob decided he wanted to learn this instrument, I truly believe it needs to be heard all over the world.

[Cowaco]

Ah you have mastered the art of Adam Neely's anti-anti clickbait.

[evilpatrick]

I have to say, i'm puertorrican and i love to see our culture in museums and social media and that you actually play the cuatro, not like a aguinaldo jibaro, but hearing the strings gave me shivers, you did a good job playing it.

[lucastilou]

Check out Christian Nieves. He's one of the most modern puertorican cuatro virtuoso players from the island. Also check out the Orquesta Mapeye which is a traditional puertorican orchestra.

[Tucciiz]

As an actual Puerto Rican, he obviously didn't master the cuatro, in the same way I don't master the cuatro when I go to my Abuelo's house and play it like a guitar. This is an instrument partially tuned in 4ths, so if you know scale/chords shapes on one, you can approximate them on a similar instrument. That knowledge is convenient and can quickly adapt you to an instrument, but it does not indicate mastery. Rob obviously acknowledges that in the title which I actually appreciate a lot. The way Rob feels his 4/4 pulse when he plays is not at all how a jibaro will feel the same pulse (if you would like more insight to how the pulse is felt in Puerto Rican folk music, look up tutorials on how to play a guiro).

OKAY with that out of the way, I still love Rob! I'VE been subbed since 2016, so this is not hate at all. I think Rob is talented enough that if he really wanted to learn music in the Puerto Rican tradition, he could.