cuatro is a small, Spanish-derived guitar consisting of a wooden body and four strings. The cuatro acts as an accent to the bass notes of the guitar, providing syncopation. Variants of the cuatro, such as the Venezuelan cuatro and the Puerto Rican cuatro, are common throughout the Caribbean. The Venezuelan and Puerto Rican Cuatros are each national instruments of their respective countries. The cuatro guitar is a component of afro-Caribbean subgenres such as calypso. Afro-Caribbean sub-genres Son Cubano Main article: son cubano Son Cubano originated in Cuba among afro-Caribbean people of Bantu descent. Son Cubano incorporates European and African instruments and musical components. African influence is seen in the use of percussive instruments such as bongos, congas and claves. While Spanish influence is evident through the use of guitars and harmonic vocals. Salsa Main article: salsa Salsa is a sub-genre of afro-Caribbean music that has both African and Spanish influences. This sub-genre is a modernised version of another afro-Cuban music genre, Son cubano. In addition to Son Cubano, salsa is influenced by the danzón, rumba, guaracha, cha-cha-cha, mambo and a variety of other afro-Caribbean genres. Although salsa is deeply rooted in afro-Caribbean music genres, salsa originated and developed in New York City in the 1960s. African elements in salsa music include call-and-response invocations and the use of African derived instruments such as bongos and conga drums. The Spanish influence of salsa music is seen through the Spanish-language song lyrics and use of European instruments such as the tres guitar. Salsa includes the use of clave rhythms, call-and-response invocations and rhythmic syncopation. Key salsa instruments include bongos, Congas, claves, Maracas, Güiros and the piano. Calypso Main article: calypso Calypso is a sub-genre of afro-Caribbean music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago. Calypso music is played in 4/4 time and utilises syncopated rhythms. The use of drums, percussion and call-and-response invocations are examples of the African influence in calypso music. The simple harmonies, acoustic and Bass guitars present in Calypso music are due to European influence. Soca Main article: soca Soca originated in the 1970s in Trinidad and Tobago . Soca was influenced by other afro-Caribbean music styles such as reggae, calypso and salsa. African elements present in soca include the use of percussive instruments and the tresillo beat, which is reminiscent of music from Western Africa. This genre was also influenced by European and American music styles such as hip-hop and