Samba is a traditional Brazilian dance and musical genre originated from African roots during Brazil’s colonial period. It is recognized around the world as a symbol of Brazil and the Brazilian Carnival. Considered one of the most popular Brazilian cultural expressions, the samba has become an icon of Brazilian national identity.
The History of Samba
Samba emerged from a the mixture of musical styles from Africa and Brazil. Samba is played with percussion instruments (drums, tambourines) and accompanied by guitar and cavaquinho. Generally, Samba lyrics are about romance or the everyday life of those living in cities, especially the poor. The word samba is of African origin and its meaning is attached to the typical popular dances of the continent.
The roots of samba were implanted in Brazil during Brazil’s Colonial period, with the arrival of slave labor in the country.
The first recorded samba in Brazil was “Pelo Telephone” (By Phone), in 1917, sung by Bahiano and the lyrics of this samba were written by Donga and Mauro de Almeida. Later, samba takes to the streets and spreads to the carnivals of Brazil. In this period, the main samba composers were Ismael Silva and Heitor dos Prazeres.
In the 1930s, Brazilian radio stations started broadcasting samba to their audiences. The most important samba composers of this time were Noel Rosa, "Conversa de Bar" Cartola, "As Rosas Não Falam" Dorival Caymmi, "O Que É Que a Baiana Tem?" Ary Barroso, "Aquarela do Brasil" and Adoniran Barbosa, composer of "Trem das Onze."
In the 1970s and 1980s, a new generation of composers emerged. Such as Paulinho da Viola, Jorge Aragão, João Nogueira, Beth Carvalho, Elza Soares, Dona Ivone Lara, Clementina de Jesus, Chico Buarque, João Bosco and Aldir Blanc.
Historically, other important samba composers of all-time: Pixinguinha, Ataulfo Alves, Carmen Miranda, Elton Medeiros, Nelson Cavaquinho, Lupicínio Rodrigues, Aracy de Almeida, Demônios da Garoa, Isaura Garcia, Candeia, Elis Regina, Nelson Sargento, Clara Nunes, Wilson Moreira, Elizeth Cardoso, Jacob do Bandolim e Lamartine Babo.
Bahia, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo
The best known types of samba, and those which are most famous, are those from Bahia, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
The Bahian samba is influenced by Lundu and Maxixe, with simple lyrics, fast and repetitive rhythms. The lambada, for example, is similar, as it came from Maxixe as well. However, the samba de roda that emerged in Bahia in the nineteenth century, has African-Brazilian cultural elements. With applause and chants, the dancers dance inside a circle of people. The music is played by a musical ensemble, which uses guitar, conga, berimbau, tambourine and a rattle.
In Rio de Janeiro, samba is linked to the life in the slums, and the lyrics tell about urban life, workers and the life’s difficulties, in a pleasant way and often with humor.
In São Paulo, samba is influenced by the many cultures that have made the city their home, like with the Italian influences, the lyrics are more elaborated and it is more practiced by the workers and humble people of São Paulo.
Main Types of Samba
Samba de Partido Alto
With improvised lyrics, Samba de Partido Alto addresses the reality of the slums and poorer regions. It is the style of the great masters of samba. The best known Partido Alto composers are Moreira da Silva, Martinho da Vila, Zeca Pagodinho, Almir Guineto, Arlindo Cruz, Aniceto do Império, Candeia, Xangô da Mangueira, Luíz Carlos da Vila, etc.
Samba Enredo
Born in Rio de Janeiro in the 1930s. The themes of the music are connected to the topic a Samba school chooses every year for the parade. Generally, the themes focus on social or cultural issues. The theme is what defines the choreography, costumes, and stage design used in the parade of a particular samba school.
Pagode (Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Rio Grande do Sul)
Born in Rio de Janeiro, in the 1970s, Pagode only became popular in the radio and dance clubs in the next decade. It uses repetitive rhythms by percussion instruments and electronic musical instruments. Pagode spread rapidly in Brazil, due to its simple and romantic lyrics. The main pagode bands are: Fundo de Quintal, Negritude Jr., Só Pra Contrariar (SPC), Raça Negra, Katinguelê, Pique Novo, Art Popular, Exaltasamba, Molejo, Revelação, etc.
Pagode Baiano (Swingueira) – Bahia
Originating in Bahia with influences of Armandinho, Chiclete Com Banana, and others, It’s famous for having repetitive rhythms, catchy lyrics, and most songs have choreographies, which attracts the public. It became very popular after the bands Gerasamba (later became É O Tchan) and Terrasamba.. The main swingueira bands are Gerasamba (É O Tchan), Harmonia do Samba, Patrulha do Samba, Terrasamba, Tchakabum, etc.
Samba-canção (Romantic Samba)
Also known as Samba Romântico, appeared in the 1930s, with slow tempos and romantic sentimental lyrics like "Oh, Zizi" (1929), by Luís Peixoto.
Samba de Gafieira
It started in the 1940s and has orchestral accompaniment. Fast and very strong in the instrumental part, Samba de Gafieira is widely used in ballroom dancing.
Samba de Breque
Started in the 1950s,this style has moments of brief stops, where the singer can include comments, many of them in a critical or humorous tone. One of the masters of this style is Moreira da Silva.
Most Commonly used Musical Instruments in Samba
- Cavaquinho (Cavaco)
- Nylon-string Guitar
- 7-String Guitar
- Brazilian Banjo
- Tan-tan / Rebolo
- Pandeiro
- Surdo
- Reco-reco
- Tamborim
- Agogô
- Repique de Anel
- Repique de Mão
- Cuíca
- Chocalho/Ganzá
- Repinique
- Caixa/Tarol (snare drum)
- Afoxé