Pandeiro
The pandeiro is a small frame drum with a bells ring, played in Brazilian music . The slightly curved bells ( platinelas ) create a clink, similar to the sound of a hi-hat on drums. Some instruments have another flat metal disc between the clamp pairs, the purpose of which is to dampen the sound and prevent the clamps from rattling. This enables a more differentiated way of playing the finger and hand strokes, which is not affected by the sound of the bells.
Different pandeiros have been developed for different purposes. They come in sizes between 8 and 14 inches, with 10 inches being the most common. They are covered with natural or plastic fur.
The Pandeiro offers a wide variety of sound options. Above all, the lower-pitched instruments with natural skin show the entire range from the deep, full bass tone to the high, sharp slap. Virtuoso pandeiro players (for example Marcos Suzano ) can replace a complete drum kit with this instrument.
commitment
The pandeiro is traditionally used in capoeira , samba , pagoda and choro . It is played in smaller ensembles as well as in the large samba schools.
The playing techniques and the pandeiros used are sometimes very different in the various musical styles.
In Capoeira, the pandeiro is most easily played. There is a basic rhythm that is hardly varied and does not make great demands on the playing technique. Both natural and plastic fur pandeiros in different sizes are used.
In the large samba schools, the pandeiro is more of a show instrument, since with its low volume it can hardly make itself heard in the hundreds of men strong Escolas de Samba. Large pandeiros covered with plastic fur are used, which are juggled while dancing. The pandeiro plays a much more important role in the pagoda. In this "chamber music version" of the street samba, plastic fur pandeiros are used.
In choro, the pandeiro is often the only percussion instrument. The deep natural fur pandeiro with its wide sound spectrum is mainly used here. Very high demands are placed on the playing technique: the pandeiro player must lay a rhythmic basis as well as play accents in the melody and shape the transitions between the individual parts of a piece.
Due to its versatility, the Pandeiro can be used in almost all musical styles, even where it is not traditionally used. It can often be found in the MPB , but also in the Forró or in modern radio bands.
Playing technique
The pandeiro is held horizontally in front of the body with the left hand (applies to right-handers). The right hand strikes the notes with the thumb, fingertips, heel of the hand or the flat of the hand. Depending on the style and the desired sound, the pandeiro is turned back and forth when playing with the left hand so that continuous 16th notes are played with the bells (an important aspect of the Marcos-Suzano technique). This corresponds to the hi-hat function on drums. The thumb of the right hand either strikes a resounding, open tone or mutes this tone by resting on the skin. This lowest note of the pandeiro, which is produced at the edge of the head, is comparable to the bass drum of the drums. The open tone can also be produced with the fingertips (middle and ring fingers); this technique was developed by Marcos Suzano . If you hit the top right third of the head with all your fingertips (fingers are stretched) (see conga technique), you get a slap that sounds sharp and short and corresponds to the snare drum on drums. This slap is also created with the thumb, in the lower right third of the skin; This completes the basic strokes of the Marcos Suzano technique. Furthermore (with natural fur pandeiros) one has the possibility to influence the tension of the fur by pressing with the thumb of the left hand, whereby the pitch of the open tone can be changed continuously. Finally, there are muted tones that are created with fingertips and the ball of the hand on the outermost edge of the pandeiro and, above all, make the bells sound as continuous 16th notes.
Through the combination and skillful use of all these sound options, the pandeiro can sound like a drum kit. Particularly in connection with a microphone and good settings on the mixer, effective sounds can be achieved.
