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Capoeira/Music
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[edit] Instruments
[edit] Berimbau
Of African origin, the berimbau is used extensively in capoeira. It has an unusual timbre produced by striking a rod and a ring or coin on a metal string attached to a bow with a resonating dried gourd. It is played together with a caxixi which is shaken while striking the string.
In the game of capoeira, toques are the rhythms played on the berimbau. Many toques are associated with a specific game (i.e. style and speed of play), although organizations differ on how to play each toque. Capoeira toques have their roots in African rhythmic music, which was modified and further developed among the slaves of Brazil.
The berimbau looks like a bow tightly tied with a steel wire, or arame, which is extracted from the inside of car tires. A hollow gourd or cabaça is tied to the shaft of the berimbau for extra resonance. The string used to secure the cabaça to the berimbau is also used to balance the berimbau on the smallest finger of the hand. Noise is created by striking the arame with a slight wooden stick called a baqueta. A woven rattle called a caxixi usually accompanies the hand holding the baqueta.
To vary the sound, a rock or dobrão, held in the same hand as the berimbau, is pressed against the arame. Pressing firmly raises the pitch by approximately a whole note. Pressing loosly creates a buzzing sound. Variations can also be created by pressing the mouth or boca of the cabaça against the belly.
[edit] Atabaque
The Atabaque is a large drum used in most of capoeira rodas. The skin is made from cow hide, and tightened through a system of metal rings, rope and wooden wedges.
The basic beat of the atabaque in the capoeira roda is very similar to that of the pandeiro - four beats with an emphisis on the third. Typically this is played with the hands in the following pattern: [right, left, RIGHT, right].
[edit] Pandeiro
Originally from East Africa, the pandeiro (tambourine) is considered the complete percussion instrument because it has low, medium, and high timbres. Made of wood, goatskin, and five sets of jingles, the conventional pandeiro from Rio de Janerio was introduced into samba and chorinho as a rhythmic base. Later it spread all over Brazil in different ways, and rhythms. It is played in folkloric, pop, and erudite music, among other styles.
The Pandeiro is a large version of a tamborine. Small and portable, pandeiros are a common addition to capoeira rodas everywhere. Capoeira pandeiro skins are generally made from streched animal skin. Some older pandeiros are even made from the snake skin! In Brazil, pandeiros are also an integral part of samba music.
There are various methods for playing the pandeiro, but in capoeira the principle rhythm is almost always the same. It is four beats followed by a shake, with the emphasis on the third. One easy method for playing is by alternating fingers and thumb: [fingers, thumb, FINGERS, thumb, shake]
[edit] A-Go-Go
Made of iron and steel, they are used in samba and its offshoots. The sound is made by striking a stick against the instrument’s two bells.
[edit] Songs
Capoeira songs are usually sung in a call and response format and chosen based on what's occuring in the Roda.
[edit] A bananeira caiu
Usually sung if a sweep is landed or a taller person plays in the Roda.
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| Mas o facão bateu em baixo, compadre | But the knife hit below, friend |
| A bananeira caiu | The banana-tree fell |
| Mas o facão bateu em baixo, compadre | But the knife hit below, friend |
| A bananeira caiu | The banana-tree fell |
| Cai, cai, cai bananeira | Fall, fall, fall banana-tree |
| A bananeira caiu | The banana-tree fell |
| Cai, cai, cai bananeira | Fall, fall, fall banana-tree |
| A bananeira caiu | The banana-tree fell |
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