Topmusicanswers
Samba percussionists play a wide array of instruments, including:
- Snare drum.
- Bass drum.
- Wood block.
- Tambourine.
- Cuícas (a type of friction drum)
- Pandeiro (a type of hand frame drum)
- Surdo (a type of bass drum)
- Tamborim de Brasil (Brazilian frame drum)
- What is the most important instrument in samba?
- What is the bass instrument in samba called?
- What are the main features of samba?
- What is a samba rhythm?
What is the most important instrument in samba?
Snare Drum
The snare drum is one of the most popular percussion instruments in the world; it is often included in commercially sold drum kits and used in concerts, marching bands, orchestras, parades, etc. Samba players beat the snare drum with wooden drum sticks which produces a series of sharp sounds.
What is the bass instrument in samba called?
The surdo. The surdo is one big bass drum! When you wear it around your neck with a strap, you can beat it with two sticks to create the lowest sound in the samba band. Together with your fellow surdo players, you'll bash out a driving drum pattern that propels the music forwards.
What are the main features of samba?
Be aware of these identifying features found in samba music:
- vocals or brass instruments are added to provide a melody although samba music is usually played on percussion instruments.
- the agogo bell features a high and a low pitch.
- a range of drums are used in a ensemble, which create a range of sounds and pitches.
What is a samba rhythm?
It is a rhythm that cuts across the four beats in the first bar and is played on the second and third beat in the second bar. This cross-rhythm is completed by syncopating the placing of notes in the first bar.
