Caixa >> Rio Samba
SambapediaPlaying
Function in the group
The caixas are the carpet of a bateria, the glue that holds everything together. With often around 100 players, it is the most represented instrument in the bateria of an escola de samba and almost always plays the same rhythm.
Techniques
The technique of the caixa 'em baixo (on the strap in front of the body) is very similar to that of the marching drum, with the weak hand usually holding the stick in the 'traditional grip'. There are some traditional grooves for this style of playing. In the Vila Isabel samba school, for example, they play '1 por 1', known in Europe as the samba base. This involves playing all 16 notes from hand to hand and emphasising each beat. The Mocidade Independente samba school plays the rhythm known in Europe as the bossa clave (see notes). The Mangueira and Portela samba schools, for example, play a more technically complicated rhythm, as the beats are no longer played hand-in-hand (see notes).
The 'em cima' technique is the most common in Rio. The caixa is held in front of the chest with the weak arm. As this restricts the movement of the weak hand, it plays only unaccentuated notes with a very short stick by moving the finger joints. The strong hand plays with a normal stick or a slightly shorter straight stick from the side of the head. The basic rhythm 'em cima' is a derivation of '1 por 1' in which only the first beat changes fundamentally, but the accents are still found on the beats (see notes).
...where the rhythm only changes on the first beat.......
Patterns
General info
Configurator
The caixa is probably the most European samba instrument, having evolved from the Portuguese marching drum. Today, however, caixas in Rio are only found with guitar strings on the head instead of the traditional rugs on the resonating head.
The caixa is probably the most European of all samba instruments. The caixa evolved from the Portuguese marching drum. However, this traditional marching drum had goat skins and was strung with gut strings.
Tips and tricks
Maintenance
As with almost all instruments, the same applies to the Caixa: apply a little oil to the threads from time to time to keep the nuts running smoothly and prolong their life.
Tuning
Caixas are always tuned very high, and in Rio samba are strung with guitar strings over the head. This gives them their typical high and sharp sound. The standard size is 12' in diameter and just under 20cm high, but they are also available with a 14' diameter and as a so-called 'tarol' with 12' but only about 10cm high.
Sticks / beaters
The caixa is traditionally played with normal drumsticks. However, when playing grooves with a lot of rim shots, such as the 'em cima' (at the top of the crook of the arm), a straight stick without a head makes it easier to hit this note. Also, if you're playing 'em cima' with your weak hand, you're only playing unaccented notes, so you'll need a very short stick (often the remnants of a broken stick).
Strap
The caixa is usually played with a simple shoulder strap or without a strap at all. When played without a strap, the caixa is placed in the crook of the weaker arm and clamped in front of the body.
Heads
Caixas are covered with simple plastic heads.
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