The Berimbau, is a symbol of capoeira.

The berimbau is made of a hard wooden bow, known as a verga and is strung with a steel wire called an arame.

To produce the sound of the berimbau, a gourd is attached which is known as a cabaça. A caxixi (a rattle) is used along with a wooden stick (baqueta) to strike the strings of the berimbau producing sound, this sound is then amplified by the cabaça. Using a moeda (coin) or a dobrão (stone) pressed against the arame the berimbau can produce different notes.

The rhythms produced by the berimbau, are known as Toques. These control the movement within the Roda.

There are 3 forms of berimbau:

Gunga - Keeps the rhythm and plays the basic tune.

Medio - Compliments the Gunga by maintaining the rhythm.

Viola - Has the sharpest sound, it is responsible for the the improvisation of the tune the Gunga creates.



The pandeiro is like a small drum it has a wooden framework covered with a fine skin with small cymbals laid out around the edge of the wood (Similar to a Tambourine). It is held in one hand and struck with the other, various notes can be produced according to the place the skin is hit. The pandeiro plays a rhythm which supports the rhythm set by the Gunga.



Reco Reco pronounced "heck-oh heck-oh" is the Brazilian name for a rasp or scratcher which may be made from many materials, including metal, bamboo or wood.





The agogô is a double bell which is traditionally used in many styles of percussions (African, afro-Cubans and afro-Brazilian...).

Agogo is played with a stick or piece of iron.



The Atabaque is a long drum, which like the agogô, is an instrument of Candomblé (Macumba or Brazilian Voodoo) It adds the beat to the music.