Special Sub-Topic: Capoeira: Songs and Instruments Click Here To Play: Capoeira: Songs and Instruments

How might you say thank you in Portugese?

Obrigado. Portugese is the language spoken in Brazil, and so it became the language of Capoeira. The songs are all sung in it, and many Capoeira players are fluent in the language.

What is the only string instrument in Capoeira?

Berimbau. The Berimbau is a slight variation on an African instrument, and is made of a gourd, wire, a short piece of string, and long flexible stick. The result resembles a longbow, with a few extra attachments.

Which of these berimbau rhythms has the slowest beat?

Angola. There are many different such rhythms in Capoeira; many rodas (the main circle in which the fighting is done) will have a combination of various ones all working together.

What did the Cavalaria rhythm tell the Capoeira players?

That police were coming. When Capoeira was still illegal in Brazil the musicians could use a change in the rhythm to warn everyone of the oncoming danger.

Name the chorus that goes with this verse 'eu ja vou embora'?

Boa viagem. Music is an extremely important part of the martial art. It helps the players (the people fighting) stay together, and can tell them what to do or even describe what is happening in the room.

What do you call the rattle that is used with a berimbau?

Caxixi. You hold the caxixi in the hand you hold the paketa (the stick used to strike the wire on the berimbau) in, and it can add a little extra flare to your beat. Some rhythms use it as the final beat on its own.

What is an Atabaque?

A drum. The Atabaque is a large drum the rests on the floor and comes up to just around your knee level (depending on how tall you are)when you sit down. The Atabaque provides a strong base beat in a roda.

What do you call the opening song in a Capoeira roda, that is sung accompanied by only the berimbau and the pandeiro?

The Ladainha. The Ladainhas can be short or long and they usually have a message in them. They have no chorus in between verses, and are sung by a soloist.

Finish this chorus: "Berimbau tocou na capoeira berimbau toco ..."?

Eu vou jogar. 'O cade salome', is one of the verses to "Adao, adao", and 'abalou capoeira', and 'como vai voce' are parts of other choruses.

In what order do you start playing the instuments in a roda?

Berimbau, Pandeiro, Atabaque, A-go-go. The berimbau is the lead instrument that the rest of the musicians and the players look to for the rhythm, so it has to go first. Then the others follow in order (although, interestingly enough, the order they start in is not the order they are sitting in). Only after all the instruments have joined in are the players allowed to begin a game.