Capoeira Senzala Slovenija, Contramestre Luis Claudio

Music and instruments

Music is an indispensable part of capoeira. At the head of the roda, there is bateria (the orchestra), composed of three berimbaus, two pandeiros (tamborine) and one atabaque (large drum). Optional instruments are agogo and reco-reco.

Main instrument and the symbol of capoeira as well, is berimbau. Resembling a bow, drawthed with a wire and equiped with resonant pumpkin at the bottom. Three different sizes of resonant pumpkins define three different types of berimbaus: viola (the smallest), media (medium) and gunga (the biggest). Berimbau can play 10 different rhytms with numerous variations, which define style and the speed of game.

Orchestra is completed by the choir, which sings the songs (in portuguese) in the dialog style with the main singer. The songs are talking about various subjects: some about history or stories of famous capoeiristas, other try to stimulate, teach or warn capoeirista at play, and some comment the happening in the roda in its own metaphoric way. Some songs talk about a lost love and are sad by nature, others are simple and funny.

Simbiosis of capoeira and music enacts in a circle, called roda. The circle is composed of a group of people, who accompany or stimulate the happening in roda, where two players confront in the game, by clasping in the rhytm. The attacks are usually not carried out till the end, but only implied, defence and retreat are often changed into skilful counterattack. Usually the greatest dare and opponent to the player is the player himself – controling the movement, attention practice, controlling the attacks,…The philosophy of game in capoeira plays an important role and good masters are trying to teach about respect, responsibility, safety, slyness and freedom.