Questions regarding Samba instruments have been a constant since we started to write about the Brazilian Carnaval. I guess there is a fascination upon the subject, which can be easily understood. When we think of a regular orchestra or band, we might know by the top of our heads a few of the instruments like saxophones, clarinets, piano, etc. We have been listening to them, learning about them, seeing people play since very early stages of our lives. Samba instruments, by the other hand, are very specific and some of them only "exist" formally since the 1950´s.
What are Samba Rehearsals After All?
Samba-School rehearsals ( or practices ) are the second most important Brazilian Carnival event, losing only for the official carnival parades, which happen in February/ March. Carnival samba-schools rehearsals like the name suggests, are the practice routines the samba schools perform at their premises, (called "quadra" in Portuguese ) in order to prep-up for the carnival. Carnival rehearsals start generally in June / July every, at the time the samba schools start to define their carnival parade theme for next year. At the samba-schools rehearsals, the samba community mingles with the samba-schools directors, managers, enthusiasts with the purpose of carnival parade organization. Each samba school generally rehearsals at their own sa...
