Celebrating the Rio World Cup: A Short Lesson on the Musical Instruments Of Brazil

Love them or hate them, the World Cup in South Africa was echoed by the sound of the vuvuzelas. So what's the sound in Rio? Well, apparently, it's the 'Caxirola' - a rattle-type instrument based on the Caxixi, one of the many traditional instruments used in Brazilian music.

Over the last several hundred years, instruments from various countries have influenced Brazil's music styles and sounds. Like the vibrancy of the culture, Brazil's music is equally diverse and full of energy and life. Music is heard everywhere in Brazil: bars, cafes, restaurants, sporting events, beaches, homes, and businesses. It's part and parcel of Brazilian culture and lifestyle. Carnivals and festivals are huge events in Brazil, and music is always a big part of those celebrations.

Many different instruments are used to make Brazil's beautiful music, each creating unusual and eclectic sounds and rhythms. However, the most popular or well-known Brazilian musical instruments are used in Capoeira or Brazilian Samba.

Samba is arguably the most typical and familiar music of Brazil. It is performed in carnivals and street dances, and its quick tempo and catchy rhythm are perfect for dancing. Samba expresses the very nature of Brazilian culture. There are multiple forms and variants of Samba.

Capoeira combines fight, dance, rhythm, and gravity-defying acrobatics, all performed in a circle or 'Roda.' It is an Afro-Brazilian art form that was born out of the struggle for freedom of the slaves in Brazil.

The chief instruments used are the Berimbau, Atabaque drum, and Pandeiro. Every rhythm the Berimbau plays means something to the roda. The people clap in time with it; the faster the rhythm, the faster and more energetic the players must be within the circle. A slow rhythm means a slow, clever game full of tricks. Each instrument improvises upon and supports the theme of the Berimbau.

The Berimbau is made from a wooden bow, a gourd, and a steel string. The steel string is secured to the wooden bow, and the gourd is attached to the bow to create a resonator. Resting the gourd on the abdomen, the hands are free to strike the steel string with the wooden stick.

The Atabaque is a drum with Afro-Brazilian origins. It is played with your hands, most of the time while standing. The resonator is traditionally made from Jacaranda wood with calfskin stretched over the top.

The Pandeiro is similar to a tambourine, and there are many ways to play it, including using your thumb, fingertips, palm, and sides of your hand.

As mentioned, the Caxixi (pronounced Ka-shee-shee) is a musical instrument of ancient African origin that became popular in Brazil as a companion to the Berimbau. It is a reed basket woven by hand with a hard gourd skin bottom filled with special seeds. When shaken, the seeds hit the hard gourd skin, producing a distinctive sound.

Whether or not the Caxirola takes off, it's guaranteed that fans who have traveled to see the World Cup will hear some wonderful, traditional music. Why not bring a little Brazilian influence to your music lessons this term? You can easily link the music with a geography or history lesson about the people of Brazil and how music brings the communities together. Dress up and use your outdoor musical instruments to bring a little carnival to your own outdoor space! Brazilian percussion instruments include whistles, flutes, horns, rattles, and drums! Our Rainbow Sambas and Congas are perfect for playing funky, infectious rhythms in the outdoors - giving you everything you need to create fun and high-quality Brazilian & Samba music!