DRUM TRAINING
In this section of the site I'll be sharing some interesting rhythms that you can try for yourself.
MARACATU
Maracatu is an Afro-Brazilian rhythm originating from Recife in the north east of Brazil. It is usually played by a group of percussionists playing alfaias (a solid macaíba wood, hide skin bass drum played with heavy wooden beaters 17" to 22" in size), a gonguê (large cowbell) and caixa (snare drum).
Ex.1 is the basic feel for this rhythm or "Marcação".
Click the image for a hi-resolution version of the Maracatu rhythm.
Ex.2 expands on Ex. 1 with the bass drum part.
Ex.3 more involved still.
Ex.4 this is a version of the "Martelo" rhythm.
Ex.5 "Marcação" with toms.
Ex.6 embellished snare part.
Ex.7 the "Virado" or turn gives you the characteristic sound.
Ex.8 Virado variation.
SAMBA
Samba is probably the most internationally renowned of all the brazilian rhythms. Even though samba is played through out brazil it's usually associated with Bahia and Rio de Janeiro where you will find some of the best examples of this music.
Swing Patterns
Ex.1 is the basic pattern with swung 16ths, you need to feel the 8th note triplets and straight 16ths at all times and then try to place 16ths somewhere in the middle. Listen to some music to hear that kind of swing. The kick drum is playing what the Surdo would play.
Ex.2 the same hihat but with the standard kick drum pattern.
Ex.3 a typical surdo/kick drum variation.
Ex.4 same as Ex.3 but with a tasty little 16th open hat after the downbeat.
Pagode Style
These examples are found in pagode which is a another version of samba, check out artists such as Fundo de Quintal, Beth Carvalho, Jorge Aragao, Zeca Pagodinho to hear the groove.
Ex.1 the basic groove
Ex.2 add snare.
Ex.3 another way to place the accents to create a common groove.
Ex.4 another snare variation.
Ex.5 with full kick drum part and another snare variation.
Bossa Style
The following examples are what i would call Bossa Style which has nothing to do with tempo, more the overall sound and feel which should be dry and light sounding.
Ex.1 shows a basic samba kick drum pattern and 16th note hihat part. This 3/2 Bossa clave (played as a rim click) rhythm is the backbone to understanding how the more syncopated patterns fit together. Even though most Brazilian musicians don't consciously think of clave it's safe to say that samba is always "in" Clave.
Ex.2 shows a common rhythm that is usually played on a tambourim, a 6" single headed drum played with a plastic multirod or stick, this is a 3/2 rhythm as well.
Ex.3 is basically a stripped down version of the last pattern, which creates more space and sounds great at faster tempos. It's commonly known as "Telecoteco" .
