Different woods can be used to make berimbaus: biriba, tapioca, aracà and bamboo; however, the biriba –from which the berimbau gets its name- is generally considered the best for its flexibility, weight and sound qualities.... >>read more
N. Scott Robinson-World Music and Percussion, Frame Drums, Riq, Tambourines.
The Brazilian berimbau de barriga, or simply berimbau, is a gourd-resonated, braced musical bow of African origin. The instrument consists of a 4'–5' (1.2 m–1.5 m) branch of biriba, bamboo, oak or other wood bent into an arc.... >>read more
Berimbau music is almost synonomis with capoeira. Said to "command the circle", the berimbau detirmines the kind of game (angola, regional, etc.) by playing the appropriate rhythm or toque. Visit our rhythms section to hear some berimbau samples.
The berimbau looks like a bow tightly... >>read more
The Berimbau is the main instrument of Capoeira. It is held and played by the Mestre to command the Capoeira game, or jogo, during a Capoeira roda. There are distinct rhythms played that dictate the game to be played by the participants. Although it is seemingly a simplistic and primitive looking instrument, the sounds it creates is complex in... >>read more
The berimbau is composed of a bow-like body, however rather than shooting arrows the performer strikes the cord with a stick. This produces a deep resonance - the trademark 'Wah-Wah' sound - that is controlled by the movement of the cabaça against the musician's body.... >>read more