About Capoeira

• One of the martial arts that has gained immense popularity over the past several years is the Afro Brazilian practice known as Capoeira. Capoeira involves "playing" the art in a roda or circle, and it is performed to traditional music. The reason for this lies in the roots of the art as a means of self-defense for slaves. The practice of martial arts was banned by slave owners. As a result, the martial art was put to music and disguised to look like a dance in order to fool onlookers. Capoeira music has ties to the native Brazilian rhythm called Samba.
  
  

The Berimbau

• The most commonly seen Capoeira musical instrument is the berimbau. Bearing similarities in look to a bow and arrow, it is a rod with a metal string. It has a gourd called a cabaca attached at the bottom through which the sound resonates. The string is struck with a wooden rod called a baqueta, and a maraca-like instrument called a caxixi is held within the hand bearing the rod. The dobrao--a small rock or coin--is pressed and released against the string to create various tones. The berimbau creates a very unique sound and serves as the basis for all Capoeira play. The speed of the music dictates that pace and style of game, be it regional or the slower angola.
  
  

The Atabaque

• The Atabaque is basically a wooden drum made from jacaranda wood, having skin made of either goat or cow hide. Complementing the berimbau, the atabaque is typically played in four beats, with emphasis placed on the third beat. The atabaque helps keep the rhythm of the game.
  
  

The Agogo

• The agogo is an instrument consisting of two metal bells. The bells are struck with a wooden stick. Depending on which bell is struck, it creates a low or high tone. These are widely used in samba rhythms.
  
  

The Pandeiro

• The pandeiro is a large tambourine made from goat skin. It contains 5 sets of chimes. It is played with the fingers, palm, thumb, and heel of the hand to make different sounds. It is played in the same manner as the atabaque. That is, it's played with four beats with an emphasis on the third. The third beat is typically followed by a shaking of the chimes.