Fredy’s decision to become a musician was seen as an affront. His dad, a Christian pastor, used to tell him that musicians only performed to entertain drunk people. So he used to sneak out of his house, telling his parents he was going to do his homework in town. Although he did his homework indeed, he would finish them early and head to the Cultural House of Maní, where he took music lessons. Later, when he joined the army, he would take advantage of his talent, as being a musician brought him benefits. Apart from the military training, musicians used to play at cocktail parties and official meetings. He had a great time until a superior who didn’t care at all about music arrived. His happiness was gone, and he fled once again.

Fredy laughs as he recounts these anecdotes. They help him acknowledge all the changes his life has gone through. Today, he has spent more than 18 years making musical instruments, especially the cuatro llanero. The legend says this stringed instrument arrived in Venezuela during the conquest, with its original five strings that became four, hence its name. This is a harmonic instrument that accompanies the melodic instruments, harps, and bandola, and together they are the basis of any traditional llanero ensemble. Thanks to his talent, grown passionately over the years, Fredy had the opportunity to be one of the musicians who went to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington in 2011 to showcase their traditional heritage wisdom.

This luthier and musician, who was certified as a Music Technician by the Sena, is now a representative craftsman of Aguazul, the town that welcomed him more than two decades ago. He learned his craft at Tauramenta. Back then, he fell in love with the instrument that he now produces under his own brand, Cuatro Landines, named after his last name as he was told the great ones did. He advertises his business through Facebook and other social media, which luckily grew during the pandemic. His goal is to become the best cuatro brand in the whole Orinoquía, and he’s on the right track.

He fills with pride as he recalls his beginnings, repairing cuatros, guitars, bandolas, violins, and even ukuleles at the Instruments Clinic, where he first made a diagnosis of each instrument’s situation and proceeded to repair it. He remembers that place with gratitude, for there he became well-versed in a variety of instruments and the peculiarities of sound. He knows the details of each piece composing his favorite, the cuatro, and knows that its sound texture comes from the woods he uses—cedro espino, amargo, carmín, as well as fir, pardillo, and teca. Apart from helping him craft a high-quality cuatro, this variety of woods allows him to create a unique series of cuatros displaying a mix of colors and designs. He’s proud to say that recognized cuatro players such as César Barragán and Libardo Rey from the Grammy Award-winning Palo Cruzao ensemble use his cuatros.

So, if you pass by Aguazul, don’t miss paying a visit to Fredy. You will be happily immersed in a world of sound and tradition as you come to know the cuatro instrument, the local badge.