Nelson Cavaquinho
Encyclopedia
Nelson Cavaquinho was one of the most important singer/composers of samba
. He is usually seen as a representative of the tragic aspects of samba thematics, with many songs about death and hopelessness. He's a founder of the samba school Estação Primeira de Mangueira
.
. Coming from a poor family, he quit school at a young age to seek employment in a factory. He showed a musical talent at a young age playing a home-made guitar made of a cigar box and wires. When he could, he would borrow a cavaquinho
and try and copy the techniques of professional cavaquinho players. He demonstrated a great ability to play the instrument and composed a choro
("Caminhando") which gained him notoriety as a musician (due in part to an uncommon modulation
which made it hard for other instrumentalists to harmonize
it). He was finally given a cavaquinho and having demonstrated a unique playing style on the instrument was given the nickname "Nelson Cavaquinho". He demonstrated a unique style of playing with only two fingers.
As a young man he became acquainted with famous samba players like Cartola
, Carlos Cachaça and Zé da Zilda. He went on to compose over 600 compositions. His main partner was Guilherme de Brito
. Some of his better known works are: "A Flor e o Espinho", "Folhas Secas", "O Bem e o Mal" and "Juízo Final".
He died of emphysema on February 18, 1986, at the age of 74, in Rio de Janeiro.
Samba
Samba is a Brazilian dance and musical genre originating in Bahia and with its roots in Brazil and Africa via the West African slave trade and African religious traditions. It is recognized around the world as a symbol of Brazil and the Brazilian Carnival...
. He is usually seen as a representative of the tragic aspects of samba thematics, with many songs about death and hopelessness. He's a founder of the samba school Estação Primeira de Mangueira
GRES Estação Primeira de Mangueira
The Grêmio Recreativo Escola de Samba Mangueira is one of the most traditional and best supported Samba schools in Rio de Janeiro. It was founded on April 28th, 1928 in Morro da Mangueira, near the region of Maracanã by Carlos Cachaça, Cartola, Zé Espinguela, Nelson Cavaquinho, among others...
.
Biography
Nelson was born in Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
. Coming from a poor family, he quit school at a young age to seek employment in a factory. He showed a musical talent at a young age playing a home-made guitar made of a cigar box and wires. When he could, he would borrow a cavaquinho
Cavaquinho
The cavaquinho is a small string instrument of the European guitar family with four wire or gut strings. It is also called machimbo, machim, machete , manchete or marchete, braguinha or braguinho, or cavaco.The most common tuning is D-G-B-D ; other tunings include D-A-B-E...
and try and copy the techniques of professional cavaquinho players. He demonstrated a great ability to play the instrument and composed a choro
Choro
Choro , traditionally called chorinho , is a Brazilian popular music instrumental style. Its origins are in 19th century Rio de Janeiro. In spite of the name, the style often has a fast and happy rhythm, characterized by virtuosity, improvisation, subtile modulations and full of syncopation and...
("Caminhando") which gained him notoriety as a musician (due in part to an uncommon modulation
Modulation (music)
In music, modulation is most commonly the act or process of changing from one key to another. This may or may not be accompanied by a change in key signature. Modulations articulate or create the structure or form of many pieces, as well as add interest...
which made it hard for other instrumentalists to harmonize
Harmony
In music, harmony is the use of simultaneous pitches , or chords. The study of harmony involves chords and their construction and chord progressions and the principles of connection that govern them. Harmony is often said to refer to the "vertical" aspect of music, as distinguished from melodic...
it). He was finally given a cavaquinho and having demonstrated a unique playing style on the instrument was given the nickname "Nelson Cavaquinho". He demonstrated a unique style of playing with only two fingers.
As a young man he became acquainted with famous samba players like Cartola
Cartola
Angenor de Oliveira, known as Cartola , was a Brazilian singer, composer and poet considered to be a major figure in the development of samba.Cartola composed, alone or with partners, more than 500 songs.-Biography:...
, Carlos Cachaça and Zé da Zilda. He went on to compose over 600 compositions. His main partner was Guilherme de Brito
Guilherme de Brito
Guilherme de Brito Bollhorst , known as Guilherme de Brito, was an important Brazilian sambista, singer, songwriter, and painter.-Biography:...
. Some of his better known works are: "A Flor e o Espinho", "Folhas Secas", "O Bem e o Mal" and "Juízo Final".
He died of emphysema on February 18, 1986, at the age of 74, in Rio de Janeiro.