Cifra (musical genre)

In Argentina and Uruguay Cifra is a genre of traditional melody with accompaniment, associated with usually improvised lyrics. In this genre the lyrics are improvised by two competing performers;by two or more participants taking turns, based on impromptu or made-up stanzas; or by a solo performer who improvises on a topic requested by his audience. But the cifra is mainly the song of the "payadores" (singers from Argentinian Pampa) who improvise in opposition. The way in which this interrupted song is combined and linked to the strumming of the guitar is the most characteristic of it and, a characteristic unique among American songbooks.