INSTRUMENTS

Surdos  (click to go to SURDO page)

Primeira (marcação) - beat two in the bar, lowest pitch

Segunda (marcação) - beat one in the bar, middle pitch

Terceira (cortador) - longer melodic lines, highest pitch

Caixa (click to go to CAIXA page)

snare drum played with snares facing up - AKA in our group: Malacacheta

Tamborim (click to go to TAMBORINS page)

Agogô (4 bells) Click for Solo

Chocalho (click to go to CHOCALHO page)

​​​​​​Repinique or Repique  
(Different types: some play levada pattern, while a few act as the 'calling' drum, often summoning the bateria to start, or opening with a solo to add excitement)

TERMINOLOGY

Escola de Samba - Samba School; large clubs formed to learn samba and perform in the samba parade competition (largest ones are in Rio and São Paulo) 
 

Bateria - the drum section of an Escola de Samba
 

Samba Enredo - the 'story' or theme of the samba, in the Escola de Samba.
 

Levada - a groove, or rhythmic pattern of each instrument
 

Paradinha or Bossa- a rhythmic flourish played by the ensemble in the middle of the tune, to add excitement.  
 

Chamada ("Shamada") - a call, often played by the repinique.
 

Telecoteco - a syncopated rhythm on the tamborim. Listen to Tamborim 2 on Tamborins page.
 

Carreteiro ("Ca-he-tey-ro") - steady16th notes played on the tamborim
 

Subida ("Sue-bee-dah") - Beginning of a new phrase of the bateria, with a strong tamborim entrance. Many baterias have their signature subida.

Samba de Raiz/Pagode
Instruments