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for your Capoeira journey
When you learn Capoeira you are not only learning to move and think like a martial artist, you are also learning aspects of Brazilian culture, including its musical traditions and the Portuguese language, which is used to name the movements and techniques, and is the language in which the songs of Capoeira are sung. It can also be used as a medium of instruction. On this page you will find resources that will help you to learn and understand the music and the language of Capoeira.
MUSIC RESOURCES
For Aruandeiros
Music is of vital importance to the practice of Capoeira. Without it there is no energy & no roda. To begin training capoeira you may just study the movements of capoeira, but as you progress through the levels of training you will learn to play the instruments and to sing the songs of Capoeira.
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The orchestra (Bateria) of capoeira is defined differently by each capoeira group. Traditionally in Capoeira Regional, one berimbau and two pandeiros were used, and Capoeira Angola still uses all the musical instruments – three Berimbaus, an Atabaque, two Pandeiros, an Agogo and Reco-reco to make up the Bateria of Capoeira Angola.
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For a complete roda Capoeira Aruanda uses three Berimbaus, an Atabaque, two Pandeiros, and the use of Agogo is optional.
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The berimbau is the primary instrument in Capoeira. Its leads the other instruments and dictates the rhythm and pace of the roda.
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The origins of the berimbau are not clear, though there is little doubt that it has African origins as there are no Indigenous Brazilian or European instruments like it; and similar instruments can be found in southern parts of Africa.
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Useful Links
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Capoeira Aruanda Song Book (541Kb PDF)
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Capoeira Song Compendium (405kb PDF)
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Musica da Capoeira (YouTube Channel)
