Progression of Brazilian Music

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The Evolution of Brazilian Music

Brazil’s music is rooted in the culture of its indigenous people with obvious rhythmic influences from Africa and melodic nods to the Portuguese. Over the last five centuries, the music of Brazil has evolved to be something quite unique and distinctive of the region. Today many festivals and events highlight the nation’s love of the unique rhythms of the high energy music. The Carnival of Brazil is a world-renowned festival that highlights the music, dances, and rich culture of the country. People flock from all over the world to experience the culture and to partake in the festivities. With all great cultures there are meager beginnings and for Brazil that started more than five hundred years ago.

On April 22, 1500 the first Portuguese explorers landed in Brazil. The initial explorers precisely documented the culture of the aboriginals. Jean de Lery, a Frenchman, published a book named Journey to the Land of Brazil in 1578 to document his experiences.1 The book detailed the dances and rituals as well as musical instruments that were used. Lery specifically described what we know today as maracas.1 He stated that during dances the aboriginals were great musicians and composers of improvised songs.1 Brazilian instruments still consist of many percussion pieces like rattles and drums as well as flutes, horns, and whistles. Today you can see the strong percussion influence of the popular music that was pioneered by the Brazilian Indians.

The history of Brazilian music gives you an idea about this fascinating blend of cultures and styles. The distinctive rhythm of the music of Brazil is said to have evolved from the Native Americans.1 These aboriginals used simple musical composition for their religious rituals. In the 1600s, the slaves that were brought from Africa used an exotic blend of percussion instruments to create unique sounds. There were numerous percussion instruments of African origin that were...