Quijada Sample Library: Authentic Cuban Jawbone Percussion
Authentic quijada sample library recorded from a real donkey jawbone played by Robert Fernández. This rare Afro-Cuban idiophone produces a distinctive rattling, percussive sound perfect for traditional son, Cuban folklore, and Latin music production.
Please Note: This is not a physical jawbone. It is a virtual instrument/sample library created from recordings of a real quijada played by my friend Robert Fernández.
Your purchase does not include a physical quijada. A real jawbone cannot be shipped to you for $0.99.
Esto no es una quijada física. Es un instrumento virtual (VST) basado en muestras de audio de una quijada real tocada por mi amigo Robert Fernández. Con tu compra no recibirás una quijada física. Una quijada real no se puede enviar por $0.99.
The quijada is a fascinating idiophone crafted from a donkey's jawbone with the original teeth intact. This unconventional instrument produces a distinctive sound through the vibration of loosened teeth when struck or shaken, creating a uniquely percussive, rattling tone that can't be replicated by any other instrument.
Rooted in the musical traditions of Peru and Cuba, the quijada has been used for centuries in folkloric and traditional music, adding texture and rhythmic complexity. Over time, it has gained popularity beyond these regions, finding its way into diverse musical styles where it lends an authentic, earthy sound to traditional and contemporary pieces alike.
In 2021, I traveled to Phoenix for the funeral of my dear friend Robert Fernández's mother (DEP). Afterward, we honored her memory by sharing our love of music. Robert, who has an incredible collection of rare instruments, graciously allowed me to record the sounds of his quijada. Together, we captured the unique timbre and textures of this rare instrument, preserving its tones to share with musicians and producers seeking authentic sounds that are rarely sampled.
To learn more about the quijada's history and cultural significance, visit our guide to Cuban instruments.
Here is a sample son montuno using the instrument.