A CD with the calm melody of Brahms’ “Cradle Song” or the rhythmical strum of Twinkle Twinkle played with a “Cuatro”. Culture is a changing factor and it can easily get lost in one generation. I want to inspire my child and every child to recognize the sound of a beautiful traditional instrument called “Cuatro” and make the connection with its Caribbean and South American roots, to become a music-lover and get in touch with their culture and music tradition as soon as they are born.

As an instrumental musician I have always been fascinated by how our culture connections and childhood memories grow in importance when we are adults.  We can easily recognize tunes and songs from our childhood and also recognize the sound of a traditional instrument and feel more related to it and to our grandparents roots.

With this project on Kickstarter, I´m aiming to help newborns get in touch as soon as possible with their roots and culture trough the sound of the cuatro.

Baby Cuatro will consist of a beautifully packaged CD designed by a Montreal-based artist and containing the following instrumental songs:

• Brahms’ “Cradle Song”
• Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
• Los Pollitos
• La manzana se pasea
• Arroz con Leche
• Duérmete mi niño
• Donde estabas tú periquito
• One Elephant, Deux Éléphants
• La Manzana
• Duérmete mi niño (“sleep, my baby”)

Timeline

I’ll spend 50 hours at the Studio, from February to April 2015, recording 10 beautiful traditional children’s songs with a Cuatro (a four strings instrument used typically on the Caribbean Countries, Venezuela and Colombia).

 The Baby Cuatro plan is divided in four steps:

1. Music Transcription (Already Started)

I started transcribing 10 traditional / popular songs from our childhood so they can be played in a 4 four strings  instrument.

2. Music Recording, Mixing and Mastering (Already Started – April 2015)

We already started recording songs on the Studio.  We will spend an estimate of 50 hours recording 10 songs.

As soon as we get the funds we will be able to have a professional mixing and mastering the complete album.

3. CD Design and Packaging (Jun 2015)

A Montreal-Based artist and designer will help me get a beautiful packaging for the CD and we get all copies needed to distribute the rewards to the Kickstarter community.

4. Shipping and Release Party (Aug 2015)

Our baby is due for July 2015, so right after she’s born we will be celebrating along with all our backers and being able to see and feel the baby reacting to the rhythms and melodies on the CD!

We will sending our record to you and announcing our record release party and concert in Ottawa.  You’re more than welcome to come if you’re close!

Funding

Your contribution will help me and my wife create the most amazing traditional music CD for children around the globe to connect with their Caribbean and South American roots.  You will be contributing with:

• Part of the Studio hours
• Mixing songs and Mastering / Post Production
• Art Design
• Packaging

The sound of the cuatro is simply unbelievable, you haven’t listen to something similar in your life, not even the Ukulele resembles! I have a long history with the cuatro and you can see my Kickstarter campaign here and my Soundcloud if you want to have a preview of my work.

Also feel free to follow me on Twitter to join me on the making of Baby Cuatro!