Music & Rhythm / Instruments / Songs

Music & Rhythm

MusicThe music of Capoeira is integral to the art and lends historical insight to the origins, mestres, traditions of the art as well as Brazilian folklore and legends. The music acknowledges the slavery, oppression and eventual freedom that resulted from the practice of the art.

All of the songs are sung in Portuguese and the songs can comment on the game metaphorically or directly. They can acknowledge roots through places and symbolic aspects of Capoeira. There are also greeting songs and farewell songs.

Types of Songs include: Ladainha, Louvacao, Corridos and Quadras

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Instruments

The Berimbau is the predominant instrument of Capoeira and dictates the rhythm and type of game to be played in the roda.

The berimbau is made up of a wooden stick called the "beriba", whcih is strung with a steel string, the "arame" to form a bow shape. The gourd, "cabaca" acts as a resonator and to make the sounds a stone or coin "dobrao" is pressed against the steel string and hit with a thin bamboo stick "paqueta". There is also a small basket shaker called a "caxixi" which is used as part of the percussion.

Although this instrument seems simplistic, it creates complex sounds in both tonality and rhythm.

There are three types of Berimbaus: Gunga, Medio and Viola. The gunga is the largest of the three and has the deepest sound. Like the bass guitar, it sets the rhythm and plays the basic theme. The Medio compliments the Gunga by maintaining the rhythm. The viola, the smallest of the three, has the sharpest sound and is responsible for syncopation or improvisation. The rhythms of the berimbaus are known as toques and the toques control the type of game played in the roda.

Some of the more commonly played toques in our group include:

  • Regional de Bimba
  • Angola
  • Iuna
  • Sao Bento Grande de Angola
  • Sao Bento Pequeno de Angola
  • Samba de Roda

The other instruments in the roda are:

  • Atabaque
  • Pandeiro
  • Agogo
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Songs

Below are a list of songs that are frequently sung in our group. We are always learning new songs and will add them to our list. While we try to ensure that all music is transcribed with all accents and correct spelling, and we apologise for any errors in transmission and transcription. We have also tried to acknowledge authors where possible.

  1. Um Pe Passou
  2. E da Nossa Cor
  3. Me Leva Pra Bahia
  4. Boa Viagem
  5. Sim Sim, Nao Nao
  6. E Guerreiro
  7. La La E
  8. A Roda Ja Comecou

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