Capoeira Music

The capoeira music is very important to the play. Not only the obvious function of giving rhytm, it is the roots from Africa that is most significant and particularly in the Angola style. In many African cultures music has a religious function that is in connection with a spiritual world.

The Instruments
Here is a list of the instruments commonly used in capoeira. No real rule for what instruments are needed exists, only that there is at least one; the berimbáu.

Berimbáu Is a one stringed instrument consisting of a bow and a dried shell of a fruit at one end to give resonance. By hitting the string with a stick and regulating the sound with a stone on the string a very distinctive sound is produced. Exists in three pitches, the lowest sounding (the gunga) is lead for all other instruments. African origin. Example:

Pandeiro Itīs a slightly more sophisticted tambourine of South American origin. Example:

Agogô A wrought iron bell with African origin. Example:

Atabaque A big drum you hit with your hands, can be replaced by a conga. Example:

Reco-reco Is a Brazilian version of the güiro. Itīs a scraping instrument that can be made of wood or metal.

The Songs
There are three basic song types: Ladainha - Solo songs that follow certain melodies, starts the roda. Corrido - A rhytmic chanting like song that corresponds with the movements of the players. Quadra - In some parts of Brazil this sometimes subtitutes the ladainha, it has more varying melodies. They can all be of various themes like religion, slavery, capoeira; Pretty much anything. Click here for some examples of capoeira music and songs.

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