Samba, bossa nova and other Latin dance music
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the links between samba and bossa nova and can create a bossa nova groove.
Key learning points
- Samba is a form of Brazilian dance and music which comes in many forms, one of which is batucada.
- Batucada is often played at celebrations and carnival, and is performed by a percussion ensemble called a bateria.
- Bossa nova adapts many of the features of samba to create a more relaxed style.
- It often uses a version of the clave called the bossa nova clave.
- Many other styles exist in the region, including habanera, tango, danzón, cha-cha-chá and rumba.
Keywords
Samba - Samba is a style of energetic Brazilian dance, or the music that goes with it.
Batucada - Batucada is a type of fast-paced samba music performed by a percussion ensemble (bateria).
Bossa nova - Bossa nova is a style of music and dance that developed from samba in the 1950s.
Bossa nova clave - The bossa nova clave is a version of the clave in which the second note of the ‘2’ is delayed by a quaver.
Habanera - The habanera rhythm is a repeated two-beat rhythm used in habanera and tango music.
Common misconception
Pupils may confuse the bossa nova clave and rumba clave with each other.
Break the bossa nova clave into its group of 3 and group of 2. Practise the '3' on its own, identically to the son clave. Then practise the '2' with the second note delayed by a quaver. Only once the two parts are separately learnt then combine them.
Teacher tip
The short composition task can be extended if time/resources permit. Encourage pupils to write a chord sequence, then to record it using the same bossa nova rhythms and patterns as in the lesson. This could further be developed by writing or singing a melody over the top.
Equipment
DAW or notation software
Licence
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