Guajeo

A guajeo (pronounced wah-HEY-oh) is a typical Cuban ostinato melody, most often consisting of arpeggiated chords, played by a tres, piano, or other instrument in popular Cuban music and its derivatives, like salsa. The term can also apply to similar melodic figures played on other instruments.

A guajeo is not a static, repeating loop, but rather a melodic framework within which variations and improvisation are expected. It provides a rhythmic and harmonic foundation for other instruments and vocals. Characteristically, guajeos are relatively simple and repetitive, allowing other instruments to feature more complex melodies and improvisations over them. Different guajeos can be layered on top of one another to create a richer harmonic texture. The guajeo is a defining element of many styles of Cuban music and serves as a recognizable characteristic that identifies a song's genre.