What is a tamborim?
The tamborim (not to be confused with a tambourine) is a small hand-held drum used by Brazilian samba bands. This instrument packs a powerful punch with its high and sharp sound and it is usually played with a whip stick to create fast cross-rhythms that give samba its characteristic groove.
Expert tamborim players have the ability to perform advanced techniques, such as flipping the drum mid-pattern and delaying a note to create a ‘shuffly’ swing rhythm. This is called Virado which means ‘Twist’ in Portuguese.
What does a tamborim look like?
Small, round and circular in shape, the tamborim is around 6 to 8 inches in diameter with a shallow depth of 1 or 2 inches. The drum is typically made using metal or wood and has a tightly stretched drumhead made from a durable material such as plastic or animal skin.
Despite its small size, the tamborim plays a vital role in producing the energetic and vibrant sounds that are characteristic of samba music.
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What does the tamborim drum sound like?
The tamborim drum produces a sharp and high-pitched sound that is distinct and recognizable in samba music.
When struck with a whip stick, the tightly-stretched drumhead creates a crisp, bright tone that cuts through the mix of other percussion instruments in the band.
The tamborim's sound is crucial to the complex and intricate rhythms of samba music, and it adds depth and energy to the overall sound.
When played together with other instruments in a samba band, the tamborim's unique sound contributes to the lively and vibrant atmosphere that is synonymous with this genre of music.
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