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Music and instruments in the capoeira

Music is a fundamental, both cultural and traditional part of capoeira. The roda is always accompanied by singing and the typical instruments: berimbau, pandeiro, and atabaque. These instruments form the bateria (orchestra) and are a crucial factor for the unique atmosphere and energy of the roda. Without the music and these instruments capoeira would be unimaginable. Therefore it should never be neglected. The jogo is differentiated into diverse styles which are defined by special song types and toques (berimbau rhythms).

By Capoeira Regional the bateria consists of at least one, but at the most three berimbaus, up to two pandeiros, and an atabaque or alternatively a conga. Three berimbaus are a liability to Capoeira Angola and an agogô and reco-reco are added. Hence the bateria is composed of eight instruments altogether.

 

The Berimbau The berimbau is the most important instrument which may never be absent in a roda. It directs and guides the jogo (game) in the roda with its unique and typical sound. That means fast or slow jogos are directed by the velocity with which the berimbau is being played. The opening and also the end of the roda is controlled by the berimbau since it is the first instrument that plays. Three different sized berimbaus exist: the gunga, media, and viola. They aren’t only different in size, but also in pitch: low, middle and high pitch. The gunga always plays the same rhythm whereas the others can vary a little in the rhythms. The game’s rhythm, known as toque, can differ between different capoeira groups, but usually it conforms to the style and the jogo type.
The Atabaque The atabaque is an African drum which is found in many other cultures as well. The atabaque is the instrument playing the main rhythm to which the pandeiro and clapping orient themselves. Together with the berimbau and the pandeiro these three instruments form the minimum instrumentation in a roda. Its rhythm hardly differs during different games. Usually a three or four beat is played with occasional variations. By dances, for example maculelê and samba de roda, completely different rhythms are played.
The Pandeiro The pandeiro is something like a tambourine and, apart from the atabaque and clapping, contributes to the rhythm. The rhythm is similar to that of the atabaque. Merely the handstroke and the variations make playing it special.
The Agogô The agogô is not necessary, but all the nicer when it sounds. It is also an instrument with African roots and looks like a double cowbell or alternatively is made of coconuts for a more unobtrusive sound. It reminds of samba rhythms and completes the overall musical picture. It is part of the bateria by angola.
The Reco Reco The reco reco is a kind of wooden rasp which creates sound by rubbing a wooden rod back and forth. It is also part of the bateria in an angola roda, yet it is seldom used for regional.