Capoeira - Music |
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Music is an essential part of Capoeira tradition. Combining singing with percussion, Capoeira music provides energy and rhythm to the game. Tales are told through songs sung in Portuguese, which convey Brasilian history and the history of Capoeira.
Often these songs tell stories based on the every day life of the people who sung them. This is important because the songs give some of the details of life that for various reasons aren't included in history books.
The songs are often sad, funny, ironic, wise and instructive and they involve all the participants in the Roda with an enchanting and involving rhythm.
At the London School of Capoeira we use the eight traditional instruments: three different size berimbaus, two pandeiros, one reco reco, one agogo and one atabaque. Each instrument has a set position in the orchestra of the Roda.
The main instrument, the berimbau (a one string instrument with the shape of a bow) is played by the most senior person present at the Roda. All the other instruments are complimentary to the berimbau. The tempo is set by the master berimbau and the person who holds it will also lead the singing.
The first type of song sung in the Roda is a solo called a ladainha (lament). When a master is singing a ladainha, the first Capoeiristas to play enter the circle and listen to the song in a squatting position at the Pé do Berimbau (foot of the berimbau).
Once the ladainha is finished, the next type of song, called chula, is sung with the participation of the chorus. The players then take it In turns to enter the circle and play.
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