Download Session 1

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 LatinAmerican 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)