Brazilian Music Workshop-Basic Rhythms, Styles, and History

Led by pianist, cavaquinhista and Brazilian music expert, David Rumpler, the goal of this 1.5 hour workshop will be to introduce listeners and performers to the principle Brazilian rhythms, the styles associated with them, as well as providing some background about where, when, and how these styles evolved. The concepts of time signature (2/4 vs 4/4), “clave” (as a general concept) and “rhythmic timeline” will be discussed. Among the rhythms to be covered: Maxixe, Marcha, Frevo, Samba (Samba de Roda, Samba de Enredo, Samba do Morro, Samba-Soul, and other samba styles), Bossa Nova, Baião, Xote, Ijexá, and Maracatu. We will listen to examples of each style, learn to clap and/or play the rhythms on percussion instruments, and talk about what makes each rhythm unique.