Brasil de todos os Ritmos Course info
in association with
One Voice Music
Since the dawn of time, homo sapiens have enjoyed hitting things. Whether it is for communication, making music or cracking open walnuts on Christmas day, we have always had a vested interest in it.
This exclusive course will arm you with the ability to hit things with greater precision and knowledge than our forefathers could ever have imagined!
Scroll down or click on the headings to find out more…
Why the retreat nature of the course?
What’s so special about this course?
What can I expect to have gained by the end of the course?
What can I expect to learn during the course?
What are former students doing now?
What instruments and music styles will be covered during the course?
Is this course right for me?
This course is ideal for all types of percussionists as well as musicians in general. Ritmistas who already direct, teach or play in a Brazilian styled bateria will find this exciting new course exactly the thing to take them to the next level and beyond.
If you are an established musician looking to broaden your musical knowledge you will also find this course hugely beneficial and life changing.
Why the retreat nature of the course?
The intensive, residential style of this courses offers UK and Europe-based students a comprehensive study in Brazilian and Cuban percussion and a rare opportunity to delve into the complex West African musical heritage of Brazil and Cuba, leading to a much more in-depth musical understanding – no matter what level you’re currently at.
By taking yourself away to a country retreat, you can concentrate fully on your learning without the distractions of everyday life.
Most students find that studying in such a focused way not only greatly accelerates the learning process, it allows them to ‘feel’ the music in a richer and more authentic way than would result by simply completing the same number of study hours over a longer period.
Whatever your current level, we can provide the techniques, skills and motivation to deepen your understanding of the music. Find out more about our teachers and teaching style
The benefits of the experience go way beyond a purely musical development. Many people find that it’s the personal journey they embark on that’s the most important (and unexpected) benefit.
Past students have cited overcoming their personal challenges, developing confidence, enhancing their learning skills and setting new personal goals and targets as some of the most notable benefits.
For a clearer picture, read some of the comments from ex students.
Aside from that, most people find that studying with a like-minded group of people has enormous social and professional benefits. Past courses have created some lifelong friendships.
Be prepared for a life-changing experience!
What’s so special about this course?
Studying in the beautiful and secluded venue will give you an unbridled opportunity to immerse yourself in the diverse content which this course has to offer. With two top class tutors on hand at all times you will have on tap access to the the best knowledge around.
On each module (numbers permitting), we will also bring in a special guest who has a deep knowledge in certain areas of brazilian music to help strengthen your study.
We want you to get the most out of this course so we will take requests from you on the things that you would like to learn.
As you will be living with the other students on the course you can expect to make life long musical friendships.
Expect to be challenged and to learn a bag full of new tricks that will stay with you for the rest of your musical life.
What can I expect to have gained by the end of the course?
To be able to play a multitude of brazilian percussion instruments.
An in-depth knowledge in a broad range of Brazilian music and its history.
The ability to turn up at any of the major citys in Brazil and be able to identify with the music that is being played.
Greatly improved learning skills enabling you to learn at a faster pace in the future.
How to teach students and friends so you can pass your knowledge on.
How to direct a group using the styles that are seen in Brazil today.
To be able to use your new found knowledge in a creative way to suit any musical situation.
We’ll even give you tips on how to structure a successful group and tailor your performance to suit your audience.
How is the course structured?
The course consists of 4 modules of 5-days spread over 12 months.
Provisional schedule:
Weds – arrive for 6 pm, Supper 7 pm, study session 8.30 to 10 pm
Thurs – breakfast 9 am, study session 10 am to 1 pm, lunch, study session 3 to 7 pm, supper, study session 8.30 to 10 pm
Fri & Sat – as Thurs
Sun – breakfast 9 am, study session 10 am to 1 pm, lunch, depart by 4 pm
There will also be morning and afternoon tea breaks and individual study time on most days.
What can I expect to learn during the course?
We’ll be teaching a wide range of percussion instruments played in a number of traditional, carnival, popular and modern music styles from Brazil.
You will have a greater knowledge and ability on the instruments you already play plus the opportunity to learn a number of instruments new to you.
There will be a strong element on songs built into the course. You will learn the songs that are making the brazilian carnival the best attended street event in the world (apart from the January sales).
Encouragement will be given for you to play and sing at the same time. It’s not that difficult actually!! NB – You don’t need to be a singer to take part.
What are former students of our past courses doing now?
Many people who have completed one of these courses have since gone on to achieve national and international success, both personal and with their performing groups.
Some of the things our ex-students have been getting up to include:
-
beginning or developing a music performance / teaching career
-
joining a band for the first time (samba, salsa, rumba, folkloric, pop, funk, Afro, are just some of the examples)
-
leading a band or bateria
-
taking music creation and arrangement to new levels
-
enjoying music with a much deeper level of understanding
-
continuing with advanced or specialist music study (such as trips to Cuba, Brazil, Africa etc)
-
fostering personal and professional connections made on these courses
It’s worth pointing out that a lot of past students are now respected teachers and performers within Europe’s flourshing Brazilian carnival scene.
What instruments and music styles will be covered during the course?
Technique and rhythms for:Surdo, Caixa, Repique, Tamborim (including modern & traditional ways to play with different types of sticks), Agogô 2 and 4, Chocalho, Ganza, Conga, Timbau, Alfaia, Shekere, Pandeiro (nylon and couro) Repique de mao, Repique de anel, Tan Tan, Zabumba, Triangle, Surdo de Repique and Atabaque.
Styles covered:
Various types of Samba (including different styles of percussion arrangements from the top samba schools in Rio and traditional and fusions of rhythms adapted for the bateria).
Afro Bloco (including modern grooves for Blocos), Maracatu, Samba and other rhythms for congas, Candomble (Angola & Ketu), Umbanda, Ijexa, Roda de Samba, Funk, Xote, Conga, Maculele, Coco, Forro, Ciranda, Samba Xarme, Marcha, Samba Reggae, 12/8, Jongo and more
What will we cover in module 1?
The first week’s study will cover all the main bateria parts for samba, including: – Stick technique – Caixa technique and rhythms – tamborim technique and rhythms – Pandeiro technique and rhythms – Repique de anel technique and rhythms – techniques and rhythms for Congas and Atabaques
We will be looking at a classic Samba arrangement with all the instrumentation and songs. We will cover a number of rhythms from various Rio samba schools and a traditional Brazilian rhythm arranged for samba instruments. There will also be studies in samba and Afrobrazilian rhythms for conga drums and atabaques.
If you are an established musician looking to broaden your musical knowledge you will also find this course hugely beneficial and life changing.
