Our roots are as a samba band playing traditional instruments and rhythms from the different regions of Brasil, although we have diversified our sound to include other influences, particularly from Africa and Cuba.
- Brass
- Placed at the front of the bateria our brass section creates colour and harmony punctuating the rhythms with a mix of traditional and contemporary horn lines. We have trumpets, a trombone and alto sax and are looking to expand the section further.
- Tamborim
- The smallest of the instruments at 6 inches in diameter, the tams are played with plastic sticks to give a sharp staccato sound. The tams usually stand at the front of the band and are responsible for long syncopated phrases that punctuate the bands rhythms.
- Repinique
- About 12 inches deep and in diameter, the 'rep' is tuned very high to give a crisp sound that raises the energy of the bloco. Depending on the tune, it's played with two flexible sticks or with one wooden stick and a hand.
- Surdo
- The surdo are the large bass drums that provide the melodious heartbeat of the driving rhythms. The three pitches of surdo create 'top', 'middle' and 'bottom' notes.
- Caixa (Snare)
- Played with wooden sticks, the taut wires underneath the drum skin produce the classic hissy snare sound. The snares, along with the surdos provide the backbone of our grooves.
- Agogô
- The agogô is normally a double bell with a high and a low pitched bell, played with a wooden stick. Our Ago-Ago section also play 4-bell Brazilian agogôs and single cow bells.
- Chocalho (Shaker)
- A framework of small metal cymbals that's shaken to provide a hi-hat feel filling out the rhythm and driving it along.
© 2007 Blogo Fogo.