Agogô
SambapediaGeneral information
Historical background
Iron bell instruments, or striking bells, have a long tradition in Africa. They exist in various forms, such as single bells, simple metal tubes, or multi-bell arrangements where the bells are placed side by side or stacked. As people were forcibly taken from Africa, this instrument crossed the Atlantic and became part of South America’s cultural fabric. Today, iron bells are integral to nearly all Afro-Brazilian musical traditions, serving as a structuring instrument. In Samba carnival parades, the agogô has always been a symbolic instrument of the style. Modern parades still feature agogôs prominently. The most famous example is the 4-bell agogô used by Império Serrano, where each bell has a distinct tone. Other Samba schools, like Portela and Estácio, include agogô sections with up to 25 players, while Mocidade is known for using 2-bell agogôs. In Bahia, the agogô plays a central role in many Afoxé groups, adding its distinct, standout tones to the iconic sound of Filhos de Gandhy and other ensembles.
How to play
Techniques
The typical playing area on an agogô is the front third of the bell, where you hit it gently with a stick.Classic Samba agogôs feature two bells connected by a flexible metal rod. By gently squeezing the two bell bodies together between stick strikes with your holding hand, you can produce the characteristic “click” sound. This softer, subtler tone acts like a gost note and adds a unique swing to the bell pattern, contrasting with the louder strikes on the bells themselves.
To change the tonal colour, try striking the sides of the bells rather than the tops. This produces a slightly rougher, grittier sound. Striking the connecting rod itself can also create unique tonal effects, expanding the range of sounds you can achieve.
A particularly unique type of agogô is the 4-bell design, where four bells are welded side by side onto a handle. Originally used by the Império Serrano Samba school, these agogôs allow players to perform not only traditional patterns but also charming melodic lines. Due to their design, they are typically played horizontally in front of the body, with the stick striking the edge of the upper bell.
Tips and tricks
Choosing the right sticks
The material and diameter of your stick significantly influence the sound of the agogô. Most players use sticks with a diameter of 10–15 mm, made from medium-hard wood. Hardwood sticks produce a bright, clear tone but can sound a bit cold and damage the bells if used to hit too hard. Softwood sticks offer a warmer tone but lack the clarity of harder woods. An intriguing alternative is practiced by Filhos de Gandhy in Bahia, where large, deep-sounding agogôs are played with extremely thin iron rods just a few millimeters thick. These create a unique soundscape character suited to their style.
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Patterns
Tipps und Tricks
Passende Sticks
Das Material und der Durchmesser des Sticks haben wesentlichen Einfluss auf den Klang des Agogos. Meist werden 10mm-15mm dicke Sticks aus mittelhartem Holz verwendet. Sticks aus hartem Holz geben dem Agogo einen klaren Anschlag aber etwas kalten Ton. Ein Stick aus weichem Holz gibt einen wärmeren Klang, aber der Anschlag ist nicht mehr so deutlich zu hören. Eine interessante Variante wird bei den Filhos de Gandhy in Bahia gepflegt: Die großen, tief und lang klingenden Agogos dieser Afoxé Gruppe werden mit nur wenigen Millimeter dünnen Eisenstäbchen angeschlagen.
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