Instrument Overview

Samba

Samba is the vibrant folk music of Brazil; the soundtrack to the famous Rio de Janeiro Carnival. It developed in the early 20th Century out of the traditional African musical traditions, brought to Brazil by slaves in the 18th and 19th Centuries. The lightweight but surprisingly clear and loud sounding instruments are often difficult to find whether required for a Samba Band or cameo appearance on the concert stage. The following are a small selection of instruments, traditional and otherwise, available for hire from CUMS.

From left to right, top to bottom:

• Ganza (double)
• Shaker (single)
• Reco-Reco
• Surdo (high)
• Guiro
• Pandeiros
• Cabasa
• Agogo bell (wooden)
• Surdo (low)
• Torpeido
• Surdo (medium)
• Samba whistle
• Shaker (double)
• Repinique
• Agogo bells (metal)
• Reco-Reco (bamboo)
• Surdo (medium)

Using this page, you can browse pictures of the instruments in the CUMS Instrument Collection, to help you decide which instruments to hire.

Examples of sets of instruments for various pieces are also available. See how CUMS can provide instruments for: Mahler's Sixth Symphony, Bernstein's West Side Story, Drummers and Samba Bands

If you need any help working out which instruments are best suited to your needs, please contact the Instrument Management Team who will be more than happy to advise you.

To hire any of these instruments, simply fill in an online booking form.

Please choose which instruments you would like to see from the box: