AoS3 Samba Flashcards
Samba Music
is a Brazilian music genre and dance style, with its roots in Africa.
Samba is performed at Carnivals by large groups of percussionists (Bateria) playing multiple, syncopated rhythms.
Listen to the call and response from different sections of the Bateria.
Surdo
Large drums which play the main beat.
This example is a rhythm played on three Surdo drums.
Caixa / Snare drum
A small drum with a snare (metal chords which vibrate against the drum)
Listen to the Syncopated rhythm played on a Caixa drum.
Repinique
A metal shelled drum.
Guiro
A percussion instrument that you scrape with a beater stick.
Apito
A Whistle which is able to create different pitched sounds. It is used by the leader of the Bateria to change the rhythms.
Listen to how the Apito leads the Bateria in this clip.
Tamborim
A small handheld drum, like a tambourine without symbols
Agogo
A percussion instrument like two cow bells with no ringer inside, has two different pitches.
Three main Rhythmic features
Polyrhythm - Several rhythms played at the same time.
Cross Rhythms - Played at the same time with different beats (clash).
Syncopation - Rhythmic patterns with an emphasis on weaker ‘off-beats’
Call & Response
One instrument plays a beat, and then others repeat it back or play an answering rhythmic phrase.
Where would you expect to hear Samba music?
Carnival or Festival.
The country where samba originated.
Brazil
1 / This musical extract is taken from a performance of Samba Music. From your knowledge of this style of music, identify five features which are typical of this style.
2/ What is the name of the group of drummers?
3/ Where would you expect to hear Samba Music?
1/ Typical Musical features include:
i/ The music is played by a large group of drummers.
ii/ Complex, syncopated rhythms.
iii/ Call and response at the start.
iv/ The use of an Apito (whistle) from the leader.
v/ 2/4 time signature.
vi/ A simple melody played by brass instruments.
2/ Bateria
3/ Carnivals in Brazil.
