Samba

• What is Samba music influenced by?

  Colourful and exotic carnivals and a range of dance styles
• What are FANFARRAS in the context of Samba music?

  Fanfarras are brass instruments associated with fanfare
• What is the typical length of an OSTINATO in Samba music?

  Usually 4 or 8 beats long
• How do different groups of instruments contribute to Samba music?

  Each group can have their own Ostinato featuring offbeat rhythms and syncopation
• What is the SON CLAVE in Samba music?

  A syncopated rhythm used in Samba, either in a 2:3 or 3:2 pattern
• What is the role of the SAMBISTA in Samba music?

  The SAMBISTA needs to know an OSTINATO for each section of the music
• What typically starts a piece of Samba music?


  An introduction often featuring call and response rhythms
• What is the main Ostinato rhythm of Samba called?

  The GROOVE
• What are BREAKS in Samba music?

  4 or 8 beat rhythms providing contrast
• What happens during MID SECTIONS in Samba music?

  One or two instruments change the rhythm of their ostinato while others stay the same or stop
• How does the SAMBISTA signal changes to different sections?

  With an APITO (Samba Whistle loud!)
• How can a piece of Samba music end?

  With either a call and response pattern or a pre-rehearsed ending phrase of rhythm
• What is the typical FORM AND STRUCTURE of a piece of Samba music?

  • Introduction
  • Groove
  • Breaks
  • Mid Sections
  • End
• What is the texture of Samba music often like?

  It varies, often being monophonic or polyphonic
• What are CROSS-RHYTHMS in Samba music?

  When two rhythmic patterns that conflict with each other occur simultaneously
• What are the origins of Samba music?

  It has roots in Africa via the West African slave trade and African religious traditions
• What is Samba a symbol of?

  Brazilian cultural expression and carnival
• What is the typical tempo of Samba music?

  104 bpm
• Why is the tempo of Samba music constant?

  To assist the dancers or processional nature of the music
• What is the typical dynamic level of Samba music?

  Generally very loud
• What is a CRESCENDO used for in Samba music?

  For dramatic effect at the end of a piece
• What influences the instruments of Samba music?

  Portuguese colonies who imported slaves from Africa
• What are some typical instruments used in Samba music?

  SURDO, REPINIQUE, TAMBORIM, CHOCOLO
• How has modern technology impacted Samba music?

  Samba has become popular as a Latin-American ballroom dance on TV shows and has fused with other genres
• Name two artists or groups that have used sounds and rhythms of Samba in their music.

  Gloria Estefan and Jamiroquai
• What is the primary focus of Samba music in terms of musical elements?

  It is based on rhythms rather than melodies
• What provides musical contrasts in Samba music?

  The pitch of certain instruments within the Samba band
• What are some typical instruments found in a Samba band?

  AGOGO BELLS, CAIXA, DE GUERRO, RECO-RECO, APITO
• What is the role of the APITO in Samba music?

  It is a whistle used by the SAMBISTA to signal changes
• What is the significance of the SAMBISTA in a Samba band?

  The SAMBISTA leads the group and signals changes in the music