TUTORIAL NUMBER TWO

An introduction to some
Samba Band Instruments

 

One of our challenges is to make this community project fun and joyful, pulling us together as a band, whilst at the same time enjoying some learning as well.

Some will have more time for this than others and the beauty of Samba is that there is an instrument to suit everyone, young and old, and those with more time to put in extra practice and those working with only the time to attend rehearsals.

 

Here's an introduction to the instruments we will be using - people are likely to want to buy their own instruments which they can call their own but DO NOT be tempted to buy anything before you rehearse with the band.

 

 

SAMBA PERCUSSION

 

SURDO

This is the deep sounding drum of samba bands that provides the basic pulse.

 

Traditionally there are three different sizes and they have different roles in the band but for us, just starting out we will keep things fairly simple and we can worry about the more complex stuff further down the line. The drums are big and quite heavy and you hit them with a drum stick called a beater. Some bands use two beaters and others just one. We will be using just one beater whilst we start out.

 

Here's an introduction by Amy Cadle, a great young teacher, American I believe

This is how you pronounce it in Portuguese, the language of Brazil

 

 

 

 

CAIXA

This is based on the snare drum used in so many western music traditions and rooted in the military drum used to provide control over soldiers walking into battle in years gone by.

Thankfully it has more friendly uses nowadays.

This drum provides an amazing point of interest in a samba band. Very loud and commands attention. The rhythms can be very complex indeed and may take many months of practice to perfect but we will be keeping things simple to start with.

 

Here's another great video from Amy to help things along :

 

This is how you pronounce it in Portuguese, the language of Brasil

 

 

AGOGO BELLS

These are fun hand held bells played with a stick or small wooden beater. They provide melody in a sense for the band. Commonly two bells but sometimes four bells.

 

 

Because of their light weight they are perfect for those who might struggle with a drum. They are very loud though and the rhythms they play can sometimes be complex, but not always and be assured we will keep things very simple to start with.

 

Another video from Amy

 

 

 

And a reminder of the Portuguese pronunciation

 

 

 

TAMBORIM

This is a small lightweight drum held in one hand and played with a stick. Perfect for those who might struggle with bigger drums. I couldn't find a good picture for this one but it's in the video below.

 

As always the rhythm patterns can become very complex and even the playing style is more complicated than you might imagine. Once again we can keep things simple here to start with and anyone who wants to develop the skills required for complex rhythms can do so over time.

Everything at the right time :)

More from Amy :

 

 

 

I couldn't find a pronunciation video for this one but Amy says it clear enough in the video above

 

PANDEIRO

 

A beautiful South American tambourine with bells. Truly a wonderful instrument to be played carefully with love and respect for the loud chiming sound it makes.

 

 

 

 

We will be using traditional western style tambourines to start with because the learning required to play even basic Pandeiro is complex.

 

This instrument will suit many of you just joining us for the first time.

Here's Amy talking about the Pandeiro, which, is quite a complex instrument to get your head around. As I say, we will be using simple tambourines to start with.



and pronunciation :

 

CHOCALHO

 

These are shakers of various different designs and sizes. In the video below Amy is using a very traditional shaker which uses bells and is very loud indeed.

 

 

 

There are more standard designs as well including Ganza, single handed metal shakers and larger shakers too with beads inside that require both hands to play - a little like a cocktail shaker without the gin !

 

 

So, shakers come in a wide range of different designs and some are loud whilst others are much quieter and smaller as well. A shaker is the perfect starting point and well suited to any dancers out there - you can really 'strut your stuff' when shaking !

 

 

Here's Amy using a particular traditional Chocalho called a Rocar :

 

Here's the pronunciation

 

 

REPINIQUE

 

Finally Repinique - this is the drum used by the leader, and, in a very big samba band, called a Bateria, others too who are helping to lead the group. It has a brighter tone and cuts through evrything else allowing the leader to call the tunes.

 

 

In a band like ours we will just have one leader to start with - the patterns can be complex and need to be played with confidence. Whilst I have spent my whole life in music recording, writing and performing, Samba is very new to me. I am also a bit old in the tooth (!) nowadays so I will cover things to start with but soon enough one or two of you will come forward to help me with this and take it forward.

Yes, I am on this learning journey with you too !!! It will be a blast for sure and may I say, such a tonic right now for me personally, learning news things.

Last video from Amy for the time being. You may want to subscribe to her channel. Her videos for beginners are really really good : )

 

 

 

 

and pronunciation - check out Amy's pronunciation above - the r seems to be said as an h, or something like that