Instruments and rhythms in samba
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can compose and perform a samba main groove which uses polyrhythm and syncopation.
Key learning points
- Samba is a form of Brazilian dance and music.
- The carnival style of samba drumming contains syncopated rhythms, including the son clave pattern.
- Samba contains a variety of structural ideas including the main groove and call and response.
- The instruments include surdo, caixa, agogo bells, repinique, tamborim and ganzá.
- Composing a call and response and a main groove section using different rhythms to create a polyrhythm.
Keywords
Polyrhythm - the combination of two or more different rhythms at the same time
Surdo - a type of bass drum used in samba
Caixa - a type of snare drum used in samba which has wires on the lower skin
Son clave - a five note syncopated rhythm commonly used in samba, often described as 3:2 or 2:3
Call and response - two phrases, one played immediately after the other, which serves as a conversation in the music
Common misconception
Samba is just music including drums
Samba Carnival bands are a big part of what samba is, but there are also songs such as Pelo Telefone which highlight the song like aspects of the style. There are also links to styles such as bossa nova.
Teacher tip
Some traditional rhythms are covered but you can also incorporate your own rhythms. Take time to teach pupils the proper technique when performing the drums and instruments, including holding them and using the beaters properly, particularly the shaker which is deceptively hard to play with control.
Equipment
Samba drums and percussion can be replaced with other unpitched percussion to replicate the instruments by pitch (high or low) such as bass and snare drums, congas, frame drums, djembes etc.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Which family of instruments are played by hitting or shaking them?
Q2.What makes musical suitable for dancing?
Q3.In ensembles without a conductor how do musicians play, start and finish together?
Q4.What is the most important beat in a bar of music?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What is the name of the lowest and biggest drum used in samba?
Q2.What is a caixa?
Q3.Which two of the following percussion instruments are typical samba instruments?
Q4.What rhythm is also described as a 3:2 or a 2:3 rhythm?
To help you plan your 9 music lesson on: Instruments and rhythms in samba, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 music lesson on: Instruments and rhythms in samba, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 music lessons from the Samba fusion unit, dive into the full secondary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.