Samba band
Encyclopedia
A Samba band or samba ensemble is a musical ensemble
that plays samba music. These bands originated in Brazil
.
The rhythm section of a samba band consists of drums is called a bateria
.
, Snare drums (Caixa), Agogô bells
, Surdos
,
Ganzás
/ Chocalho
(shakers), Cuíca
, Timba
, Pandeiro
, and the Repenique (often played by the leader for calls). The Apito
is often used by the leader to signal breaks and calls.
Other instruments have been added in many samba bands such as 4 stringed guitars, 6 stringed guitars, trombones and Singers.
A small set of samba drums in the UK costs around £300. More expensive sets come with more drums enabling more players to join.
many samba bands play in the yearly carnivals on open topped lorries. they also gather in a large stadium during these events where they play together creating a huge sound. In the rest of the world many bands perform in streets during events and celebrations but some also play between these active periods. Many people watch these as they can be heard from long distances so attract attention.
(carnival rhythms of the samba schools of Rio de Janeiro
). In other countries they now play reggae, funk, hip hop and Brazilian folk music. Like other drumming bands the music is very loud but often this attracts listeners. Some samba bands have eccentric costumes.
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
that plays samba music. These bands originated in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
.
The rhythm section of a samba band consists of drums is called a bateria
Bateria
The term bateria means “drum kit” in Portuguese and Spanish. In Brazil, the word is also used for a form of Brazilian samba band, the percussion band or rhythm section of a Samba School...
.
Instruments
A samba band normally consists of TamborimsTamborim
A tamborim is a small, round Brazilian frame drum of Portuguese and African origin.The frame is 6" in width and may be made of metal, plastic, or wood. The head is typically made of nylon and is normally very tightly tuned in order to ensure a high, sharp timbre and a minimum of sustain...
, Snare drums (Caixa), Agogô bells
Agogô
An agogô is a single or multiple bell now used throughout the world but with origins in traditional Yoruba music and also in the samba baterias . The agogô may be the oldest samba instrument and was based on West African Yoruba single or double bells...
, Surdos
Surdo
For the football player of the same name see Surdu.The surdo is a large bass drum used in many kinds of Brazilian music, most notably in Axé/Samba-reggae and samba and its variants, where it plays the lower parts from a percussion section....
,
Ganzás
Ganza
The ganzá is a Brazilian rattle used as a percussion instrument, especially in samba music.The ganzá is cylindrically shaped, and can be either a hand-woven basket or a metal canister which is filled with beads, metal balls, pebbles, or other similar items. Those made from metal produce a...
/ Chocalho
Chocalho
Chocalho is the generic name for “shaker” in Portuguese. There are various types of idiophones using this name in Portuguese, not always being the same instrument:*a shaker;*a kind of jingle stick used to play samba music;*a cowbell;...
(shakers), Cuíca
Cuíca
Cuíca , or "kweeca", is a Brazilian friction drum often used in samba music. The tone it produces has a high-pitched squeaky timbre. It has been called a 'laughing gourd' due to this sound....
, Timba
Timba
Timba is a Cuban genre of music sometimes referred as salsa cubana . However, the historical development of timba has been quite independent of the development of salsa in the United States and Puerto Rico and the music has its own trademark aspects due to the Cuban embargo and strong Afro-Cuban...
, Pandeiro
Pandeiro
The pandeiro is a type of hand frame drum.There are two important distinctions between a pandeiro and the common tambourine. The tension of the head on the pandeiro can be tuned, allowing the player a choice of high and low notes...
, and the Repenique (often played by the leader for calls). The Apito
Apito
thumb|right|200px|The Apito or 'Samba' whistle.Apito is the whistle used in samba music and other Brazilian music styles. In samba a special tri-tone samba whistle and common referee whistles are also used. It is important in organizing and conducting the band. The band leader and the section...
is often used by the leader to signal breaks and calls.
Other instruments have been added in many samba bands such as 4 stringed guitars, 6 stringed guitars, trombones and Singers.
A small set of samba drums in the UK costs around £300. More expensive sets come with more drums enabling more players to join.
Performances
In BrazilBrazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
many samba bands play in the yearly carnivals on open topped lorries. they also gather in a large stadium during these events where they play together creating a huge sound. In the rest of the world many bands perform in streets during events and celebrations but some also play between these active periods. Many people watch these as they can be heard from long distances so attract attention.
Music
In Brazil bands traditionally play SambaSamba
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...
(carnival rhythms of the samba schools of Rio de Janeiro
Rio 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...
). In other countries they now play reggae, funk, hip hop and Brazilian folk music. Like other drumming bands the music is very loud but often this attracts listeners. Some samba bands have eccentric costumes.