Berimbau
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The Berimbau
is originally an African instrument. It later became part of the Afro-Brazilian
martial arts dance called "Capoeira". The Berimbau consists of a wooden
bow with a metal wire and a gourd resonator.
Various
pitches can be selected by sliding the gourd to different positions on
the wire. A stick is tapped against the wire to produce sound. Tone will
vary by the point at which the stick hits the wire. Striking at its tip
will produce a different tone than striking close to where the stick is
held. The pitch is altered by pressing a coin or stone firmly against
the wire. While the stick plays a rhythm on the wire a shaker is often
held in the same hand as the stick. By moving the gourd's opening back
and forth with the open end placed against the stomach, you can produce
a "wah - wah" type sound.
Our
Berimbau has some unique features.
Matt installs
a gear driven tuning peg to put tension on the wire. The wire is an incredibly
strong German piano wire. This gives the bow great tone and longer life.
Most Berimbaus have the bow wire or string wrapped around the wood at
the top and bottom for tension. By adding two metal bridges to isolate
the wire from the wood Matt gives his Berimbaus the ability to sustain
notes longer.
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