Brazilian Music has three major contributors to its music and culture. Influences came mostly from Indian, Portuguese and African music.
Indian Music
Those with Indian backgrounds first cam to Brazil on April 22, 1500 (This occurence, along with many others, has been recalled in the form of a carnival song!). Thankfully we are able to understand plenty of of what was found in the terms of music, due to two accounts of the music of Brazilian aboriginals, which date all the way from back to the 16th century. The French Calvinist and pastor writer, Jean de Lery, published a book titled, Viagem a Terra do Brasil, in 1578. Translated, this means, 'Journey to the Land of Brazil'. Rituals, illustrations,rather detailed descriptions of dances, and transcriptions of some musical refrains of the Tupis were included as well. A chronicler and colonist, Gabriel Soares de Sousa, explained that his 1587 treatise, labeled, Tratado Descritivo do Brasil, the musical instruments, dances, songs and more of several different tribes.
Brazilian Indian instruments mainly includes percussion, like rattles and drums, etc. The wind instruments consist of horns, flutes and whistles.
Brazilian Indian instruments mainly includes percussion, like rattles and drums, etc. The wind instruments consist of horns, flutes and whistles.
Portuguese Music
Portuguese explorers first had introduced the sounds of their own music to the people of Brazil, which had been music which contained a mixture of music from Portugal's history.
The music section from Portugal had influences that included India, Arabia, Europe, the Middle-East, and North Africa. Dances, lullabies, music and even ballads were welcomed into the culture and were combined with the folk music of the indigenous people, creating a brand new sound of music.
Instruments that take some of their origins from Portugal that are used, include the Jew's harp, tambourine, clarinet, accordion, and the flute.
The music section from Portugal had influences that included India, Arabia, Europe, the Middle-East, and North Africa. Dances, lullabies, music and even ballads were welcomed into the culture and were combined with the folk music of the indigenous people, creating a brand new sound of music.
Instruments that take some of their origins from Portugal that are used, include the Jew's harp, tambourine, clarinet, accordion, and the flute.
African Music
African slaves began to arrive in Brazil around 1538, and with their new arrival they greatly contributed to the development of rhythm and choreography, including dramatic dances and others such as maracatu, bumba-meu-boi, the samba, and many others.
Many of the percussion instruments in Brazil are of African background. Some of them include the agogo, the cuica, the atabaques and many other different types of drums.
Many of the percussion instruments in Brazil are of African background. Some of them include the agogo, the cuica, the atabaques and many other different types of drums.