Danseuses de Samba
  • Les rythmes
  • Batuccada
  • Samba enredo
  • Marcha
  • Samba reggae
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INSTRUMENTS OF PASSION!
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To play authentic samba, you need authentic percussion instruments. Those that we use in LE BLOCO come to us directly from Brazil. They are made by Contemporânea, a leading Brazilian company.
Since 1995, LE BLOCO is sponsored by the top percussion instrument maker in Brazil. These instruments, broken down in sections, shape the sound under the bateria chiefs’ control :
Ganza de Pratinelas
GANZA DE PRATINELAS
A metal shaker, made up of rows of jingles. Keeps a sustained beat of sixteenth notes in the busiest parts and adds high frequency sound to the bateria.
agogo
AGOGÔ
Metal bells in groups of 2, 3 or 4. While supporting other rythm instruments like the tamborims, the agogô adds a harmonic dimension and a festive melody.
Pandeiro
PANDEIRO
Brazilian version of the tambourine. Played in all styles of samba. Remplaces an entire batucada group. Also funtions as an acrobatic accessory in parades.
Cuica
CUÍCA
Played with a wet rag on the stick that is imbedded in the drum’s head. A very recognizable samba sound. Brings humour and fantasy.
Apito
APITO
This whistle lets the mestre de bateria communicate with his percussionnists. Summons up pauses, variations, the song
ending, etc.
Tamborim
TAMBORIM
Played with a single or multiple stick. This section often plays on top of the melody and sometimes uses a hand twisting motion of the drum (carretero).
Caixa
CAIXA
Metal snare drum. 3 types : 1-malacacheta, 2 de guerra, 3-de repique. Played with the sticks on the snare side. Gives definition to the beat.
Repinique
REPINIQUE
Integral part of the caixa section. Played with one hand and one stick. The 1st repinique starts and stops as well as calls-and-answers the bateria.
Surdo
SURDO
The heartbeat of the bateria and balance to the beat. Broken down in 3 parts : 1-de primeira–marcaçao, 2-de segunda–resposta and
3-de terceira-contrador.
Timbau
TIMBAU
Made of wood or metal, cone-shaped, the timbau is played with hands. In a section ou as a solo instrument, mostly used in samba reggae or axé.