Sep 15, 2010

The Berimbau - Part I

Firstly, an Instrument...


Photograph by Bala Klava

As we gear up for our first Berimbau Workshop, where students will prepare to make their own instrument, we kick off our thirst for Berimbau knowledge with an incredibly detailed look at the instruments' continued use and impact within Brazilian Music and Culture. The following link is made available by Prof. Eric A. Galm, a work entitled; 'Beyond the Roda: The Berimbau de Barriga in Brazilian Music and Culture'.


Instead of solely focusing on the history of the Berimbau and its association with Capoeira, the book looks at the applications of the instrument in Modern, Electronic and Brazilian Art Music, with references to Berimbau players that will change the way we think about what's possible on the Berimbau.


A brief glimpse of the sources cited by Prof. Galm in the bibliography is exciting enough in itself before even reading the chapters. The links that follow are works that are methodical and enlightening studies that track the Berimbau's overall life as a Musical instrument.


Article in .pdf format
'Beyond the Roda: The Berimbau de Barriga in Brazilian Music and Culture'


A slightly more accessible, printed form, is available from;
http://www.amazon.com/Berimbau-Soul-Brazilian-Music/dp/1604734051




Thanks go to for Prof. Galm for his consent

1 comment:

  1. I was so sure I recognised those cabaça's! - papagaio :)

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