| "Brazil is well known
for its myriad percussive instruments. The pandeiro stands out
among them all as one of the most interesting and challenging.
It is used in all types of musical contexts, both traditional
and contemporary, due to its tremendous versatility. In the
hands of an experienced player, the pandeiro can sound like
a caixa (snare drum), a ganza (shaker), and an
atabaque (conga-like drum), all roIled into one. I also
find it remarkable that the pandeiro is essentially played with
one hand (while the other hand holds the instrument).
The Brazilians have truly developed the technique of playing
the pandeiro into an art form. There are musicians who not
only
play the pandeiro with great speed and dexterity, but also
dance and juggle several pandeiros with incredible acrobatic
skill and grace, all simultaneously. These talented individuals
are known as ritmistas, and several of the best ones are featured
with the samba schools during Carnaval.
The Brazilian pandeiro is closest to what is known as the
tambourine in the U.S. It is a round frame drum about 10"
to 13" in diameter with jingles suspended in the frame
and a skin or plastic head stretched over the top. The hardware
is usually more heavy-duty than what is found on most tambourines.
The frame is usually made of wood. but is sometimes made of
metal or plastic. The thickness of the frame varies from approximately
1/8" to 1".
The technique of playing the pandeiro is unique. It is also
awkward at first, but with a little persistence, you'll get
the hang of it. The pandeiro provides excellent exercise to
develop speed, strength, and coordination in the fingers,
hands, and forearms, and is great fun to learn. The pandeiro
is held at the frame with one hand in such a way that the
index or middle finger can be used to muffle the head from
underneath while it is struck on top with the other hand.
The following exercises demonstrate some of the fundamentals
of the pandeiro as played in its most common environment:
the samba. (Exercise 6 is a special type of samba known as
Partido Alto.) Each measure of the six two-measure
phrases should be
learned and played separately. Then learn the phrases as written.
These symbols relate to the following music examples.
O = open tone played with
thumb using swivel action of the wrist similar to the way
a funk bass player "pops" the bass strings.
F = tap with the fingers.
P = tap with the palm
or "heel" of thumb
S = slap with all fingers.
M = muffled tone played
exactly like the open tone while "muffling" the
head with one finger of the hand that is holding the pandeiro.
T = open tone played with
fingertips.
All of these sounds are executed near the edge of the pandeiro
with the exception of the slap, which can be played in or
towards the center of the pancleiro Notes in parenthesis are
optional.
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| For more exercises for the pandeiro
reverse the sequence of measures in each of the preceding phrases
and learn them in this new order. This gives you 24 separate
exercises so far. Then take the first measure of each exercise
and match it with the second measure of each of the other five
exercises. This gives you 30 more exercises. Last, reverse the
order of measures on these 30 exercises, giving you yet 30 more
two-measure phrases. You now have a total of 84 exercises for
the for the pandeiro. Strive for a smooth even stroke and sound,
and above all relax. Also be aware of subtle differences in
"feel" and dynamics that must be learned though experience.
There are many variations of the techniques and rhythms noted
here, but this will get you started." |
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