An introduction to

Session 1

Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit you should learn:• To identify instruments, structures and textures

in a piece of percussion ensemble music;• To perform as part of a group in a whole class

performance;• About the musical conventions used in Latin-

American music;• How rhythmic patterns can be built over a pulse;• About the use of different timbres;• About call and response;

Introducing Samba

• In Brazil's musical history Samba plays an enormous part. It is what has become known as carnival music from Brazil that features a large percussion ensemble called a Bateria.

• It is music to dance to and has its own characteristic rhythms that distinguish it from other Latin American music.

• The music originates in Rio de Janiero and is a mixture of Portuguese/Spanish/African/Cuban cultures.

• There are many different types of Samba incorporating many different styles and influences - two of the most common forms are Samba Reggae and Samba Batucada, both of which use the same instrumentation

Surdo

A bass drum used to mark the beat of samba music. They keep a steady beat and alternate between higher and lower pitches. A smaller surdo often plays an important role within the ensemble.

Caixa

• A drum very similar to the repinique but with springs on the bottom to create vibration much like a snare drum.

Tamborim

• This is a small-headed drum that is tuned very high and struck very quick and sharp with a flexible stick. The player is able to press and tighten the skin or dampen the sound whilst playing and plays more complicated rhythms than the surdo or chocolo.

Repinique

• A small drum similar to the snare drum but taller that is usually played with one stick and the bare hand. It has a more metallic sound than the snare drum and can be used to play solo cues such as call and response patterns.

Chocolo

• A shaker made of either many small cymbal like metal pieces or a large metal cans filled with rocks, sand or other material. It plays even notes throughout.

Reco-reco

• This is a scraper which plays the same time values as the chocolo.

Agogo

• A cowbell sounding instrument with two bells that is struck by a wooden stick used in samba music. The bells can also produce a sound by squeezing them so that they strike each other. Like the tambourim the ago-go plays more complicated rhythms than the surdo or chocolo.

Warm-ups

• Divide into 2 groups either side of the classroom

• Look at me marching!1. Clap in time with the beat. 2. Group 1 clap with my left foot and group

2 with my right foot.

This will help you get used to playing in time to a constant beat.

The clave rhythm

Group 1

• Keep going on the clave rhythm;

Group 2

• Return to clapping on the beat again; – Try swapping parts without losing the beat!

This should give you a simple polyrhythm.

Body percussion 1

• Group 1• Thighs, Stomach, Clicking fingers and clapping over 4

beats: • Group 2• Right Thigh • Left Thigh • Right Hand on Stomach• Left Hand on Stomach• Right Finger Click• Left Finger Click• Clap (crotchet)

Body percussion 2

• Group 1 • Right Thigh • Left Thigh • Right Hand on Stomach• Left Hand on Stomach• Right Finger Click• Left Finger Click• Clap (crotchet)

• (repeat at least 4 times)

• Group 2 • Right Thigh • Left Thigh• Right Finger Click • Left Fingeer Click • Clap (crotchet).

(repeat at least 4 times)