Music - The Instruments |
Berimbau
(bee-rim-bow)
The Berimbau is a percussion instrument. It is a type of 'musical bow' and comes from Africa.
To play the berimbau the arame (string) is stretched tight over the pau de berimbau (stick) you hold the cabaça (gourd) against your stomach and hit the string with the vareta (stick). Holding the pedra (stone) against the string creates different sounds and the caixixi (shaker) makes a complimentary sound.
There are three Berimbaus in a traditional Capoeira orchestra. Each one plays a different complimentary rhythm. The type of the berimbau, and the note it plays depends on the size of the cabaça.
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Pandeiro
(pan-day-roo)
The pandeiro is a tambourine with a skin. It is thought that this instrument originated in the Middle East and was brought first to Africa and then to Brasil.
In our style of Capoeira we use two pandeiros playing complimentary rhythms. The musicians playing the pandeiro sit on either side of the berimbaus during the roda.
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Atabaque
(at-a-ba-key)
The atabaque is a wooden drum stretched with a goats skin. It also comes originally from Africa.
Its rhythm provides the foundation for the music of the roda. In our style, the atatbqaue player improvises less than some of the other musicians, but their beat is like a heart-beat driving the music and the games forward. |
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Agogo
(a-go-go)
The agogo, or cowbell is nearly always present in all types of Capoeira roda, and we also use it in our style. It plays a simple rhythm and, although it is nearly always present, it is considered a supporting instrument within the Capoeira percussion orchestra.
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reco-reco
(hecoo-hecoo)
The reco-reco is another supporting instrument within the Capoeira percussion orchestra. It is a bamboo scraper that can play a more complicated rhythm to contrast with the agogo. |
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