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home                                 The music of capoeira is intergral to the artform. Music determines the style of game as well as its pace.

history                               Listed below are some of the major instruments used.

music                                   Berimbau

pictures                               A stringed instrument from Brazil in the shape of a bow. It is played with a thin stick,

calender                              held in the right hand which at the same time holds a gourd. The pitch is altered by pressing

about us                              and releasing the gourd against the stomach. The other hand, balances the instrument and holds a

contact us                           coin or thin stone which also alters the sound when the string is tapped. The berimbau dictates the

                                            type of game and the pace at which it will be played.

                                            Atabaque

                                            A large drum used in capoeira rodas (pronounced hoda). The atabaque is a very important instrument and

                                            accompanies the berimbau. The atabaque maintains the rhythm of a game.Only one atabaque is used during

                                            a jogo-de-capoeira.

                                            Pandeiro (Tambourine)

                                            The pandeiro is the percussion instrument and is basically a larger version of the tambourine. They are used

                                            often in rodas.

                                            A-go-go

                                           An instrument made of iron and steel. A stick is struck against the two bells to make a sound.