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First modification: 04/23/2026 - 20:53 Last modification: 04/23/2026 - 20:55

The renowned Venezuelan cuatro player Tico Páez stopped by the Escala program in Paris to talk about the Venezuelan cuatro, one of the most emblematic instruments of traditional Venezuelan music. With its four strings, this instrument is the basis of folk rhythms such as the joropo and has accompanied the country's musical identity for generations. Beyond its borders, the cuatro has gained presence on international stages thanks to musicians like Páez, who have led it to dialogue with other genres and new fusions.

The cuatro is the traditional instrument par excellence of Venezuela and a key piece of its musical identity. With its four strings it sustains rhythms such as the joropo, but it is also part of a great diversity of expressions that range from the Caracas merengue to the Zulian bagpipe, the aguinaldo or the parranda, reflecting the sound richness of the country.

Cuatrista Ruperto “Tico” Páez, one of its main exponents, defines it as “the soul of the Venezuelan”, an instrument present in daily life and in the musical memory of generations. Born in the state of Lara, he has dedicated his career to its study and dissemination, taking his sound to international stages, especially in France.

In this interview in Carrusel de las Artes, Tico Páez reviews the history, expansion and validity of the cuatro inside and outside Venezuela, and its role as a cultural link for the diaspora. The program also includes a live performance from the RFI studios.

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