Berimbau Solo

[shirleystemple]

My pleasure.

How have the shows been going?

[shirleystemple]

Hello, Greg.

Yes, this is still fantastic. A pleasure to hear again.

What have you been up to?

~Max

[gregoryburrows]

Hey Max -- doing lots of live shows, a bit of touring and very little Taketina/berimbau right now -- i want to get back on the horse in 2011. Thanks for your kind words! -Greg B

[SerjVGM]

Very interesting instrument and nice playing!

[GriNGoLocoTe]

Well, its not a rythm you would use in a roda, but it definitely sounds great!

[gregoryburrows]

@dewyandsprite - Tell your instructor (and recommended for you also) to listen to and study the masterful berimbau work of Nana Vasconcelos, Airto Moreira, and other great percussionists from Brazil (and elsewhere). they play all over the instrument, without limits on where to strike the string, and always in a musical way.

[dewyandsprite]

@gregoryburrows hey i talked with him earlier and he had said that for the basic rhythms we are playing, that we dont strike below the string...sorry.

[kokopellime]

iIdid a evening bones workshop with you back in 2001 or '03 @ Tribal Soundz in the E. Village; wasn;t too good then but finally got it.. I just purchased a berimbau (will hopefully arrive later this week) as i continue on my musical journey (NA flutes; frame drums; didj, bones etc.). It's a pleasure to see you, though only virtually, again. Do you play capoeira? I remeber that you do TaKe TiNa rhythms and was curious as to how they might overlap since capoeira is such a rhythmic art

[gregoryburrows]

@kokopellime -- nice to hear from you and good luck in your quest to play berimbau.  No, I have not played in Capoeira but have heard some of the original folkloric music. Basically. the style I'm playing in the video is the style I picked up through Berimbau workshops taught by Taketina's founder, Reinhard Flatischler, with inspiration from Nana/Airto, followed by some of my own experimentation.

[shirleystemple]

Obrigado.

[gregoryburrows]

de nada -- PS, Soma looks really interesting

[Mr4bounty]

nice video !!!

where did you learn that? I am very interestet to learn and play it

please write an answer

thx :D

[gregoryburrows]

I learned in NY in the early 80s watching Nana Vasconcelos, and later at the 1st USA Taketina rhythm teacher training with Reinhard Flatischler, 1997-2001, thanks for your interest.

[thetruerater5]

im really confused to how this was invented.

[gregoryburrows]

it's an ancient instrument with origins in Africa, "invented" by thousands of people over thousands of years...

[FKOKELAERE]

Thanks for this beautiful mystical music for berimbau. Cool and very quiet.

Congratulations from François Kokelaere

[Aguardente1]

That's a really nice sound! Can you tell me where i can find that documentary, am interested to see it.

[gregoryburrows]

Documentary not available yet but I'll post the film makers' youtube page - and thanks!

[panggilajafree]

awsome.....

great berimbau sound...

i feel motivated to make a harmonic sound like that

[andrelatino0909]

you already hold the berimbau, and has a good ear for music just need to learn the touches of capoeira.Parabêns If you want to learn how to play for the alligator in the mud you tube

[gregoryburrows]

ok thanks - what is 'alligator in the mud'...?

[sahremoas]

Is ¨Jacaré do Lodo¨ in youtube page.

[gregoryburrows]

what is Jacare do Lodo?

[sahremoas]

Alligator in the mud

[DoDasDew]

beautiful

[ourlucidream]

Greg, what did you use to tie the cabaca (gourd) to the varga (bow)?

[gregoryburrows]

I think this is called 'waxed cotton cord', it may also be waxed linen thread, given to me by a friend. it's really strong, durable and the cabaça doesn't slip out of tune with this string.

[maxitup02]

Verry  cool & nice free-style !! i like that ! ;D

[fionnmccueil]

This is like a little mini-lesson! Awesome!

[delioocosta]

parabéns!!!

[maxitup02]

GO to Brazil ! like me ! the next winter !!!

[comicfreak11]

Hello Please tell me how did u make your berimbau :) ilke the materials and tools i have Bamboo and i want to make one:)

I study the art of capoeira

[gregoryburrows]

Hello, I don't make berimbaus, this one came from Brazil. Check your local capoeira school or search the web ... I've seen them on Ebay (not sure about the quality). The stick should be straight (curves/knots) and the gourd should be smooth and round. Good luck!

[maxitup02]

lol Buda aurais aimé ! sa cé sur ! ;)

[betinopan]

buda play de berimbau?

[cati101]

great !

[maxitup02]

WOW ! its awsome ! :D !

[icedteaisgood1234]

im not saying it doesnt sound good, its great i love it im just deciding whether or not i should get one. I want to try to use it in some sort of experimental song i think it would sound really cool. Good job though

[gregoryburrows]

no worries and thanks! Wikipedia has a well thought-out berimbau entry, with a pretty thorough discussion of the sounds.

[icedteaisgood1234]

so you can really onle get 3 sounds out of this?

[malibashi]

There's more than Greg uses here. You can get the clean string sounds emphasized here, plus lots of 'dynamic' effects, like the wah-wah, or the overtone-sizzle you get by using the stone very lightly, or the slap-bass sound of damping the corda with a finger after the attack. Plus the wood sounds of ticking the vara or the cabasa. Combining them all gives a great variety of more percussive sounds to play with. ** Thanks Greg, nice one!

[nakarama]

nice! but maybe a caxixi would give it just a little more depth ;)

[icaropda]

Parabéns é bom ver tratarem o berimbau com carinho musical.

muito bom

Mestre Alexandre Batata

[motherofbuck]

primal! i love that you're experimenting outside the traditional capoeira ritmos. the berimbau is intixicating, really gets under the skin.

[ManOfRhythm]

Really enjoyed that--I may just have to finally get one! You got a great variety of sounds out of that, more than I thought possible. Very nice!

[bogoio]

Berimbau produces such a nice and original sound!

[everybodyishere20]

Congrats! It is so nice to hear you playing the berimbau. Really Really nice sound! It is nice to see the expression on your face when you are playing it.

Really cool!

:)

[bogoio]

We, the brazillians really get happy about this cultural exchange.

[paraxeno]

You're far from good "gringo"

[vampirorasta]

Nice beat, Incredible swing and use of the last part of the berimbau,very original congratulations!!

[gregoryburrows]

thanks v.--check out this guy's videos everybody (vampirorasta), he's a bad cat on the pandeiro, etc.

[morrovedder]

that was cool greetings

[EvinhaSelenaAstrud]

Good sound

Put on T shirt and dont look so uptight dam!

Waitin for the next vid.

Peace!

[1night1day]

the positioning of the gourde is off and you are missing the third sound (the closed sound). other than that, i really appreciated this video. im a new capoeirista so im learning how to play the berimbau. its pretty tough! im envious of your crisp sound and your creativity! i would love to hear you play some traditional songs (and more improv too :D)

[gregoryburrows]

thank you! And...where is the gourd supposed to go? =-)

[Mahdai]

I think the Gourd is meant to be a hands length from the bottom of the berimbau. Great sound btw.

[gregoryburrows]

Thanks--I tune berimbau a little higher than the traditional standard, I've made more than one capoerista uncomfortable w/ that! I got a nice maj.9th (maj. 3rd up an ocatave) that day so left it like that. peace-gb

[jonathanvieira]

i play Berimbau

and pratice Capoeira

i'm From Brazil

very nice man

[aneros988]

I've been studying percussion for eight years now and I'll say that its rare to find a talented Berimbau player!

Do you play with any Capoeira groups???

[aneros988]

that was awesome!

cheers!

[callejontranquilo]

damned!!

thats amazing

i want to play the berimbau!

[abaluaye]

excellent!

[caitoenergetico]

I like and aprove your trip man! well I know i¡you dont need any permision but, so take just as a support ok! :)

More berimbau players around the world!

saludos!

Energetico

[gregoryburrows]

I appreciate the good vibes, Energetico!  I'm not bothered by people with dark vibes. But thanks--peace, Greg B

[Lucretia2222]

You don't suck, guys like that make a bad name for capoeiristas.

[toreiro001]

You suck, please stay away from Brasil!

[gregoryburrows]

God bless you--good luck... GB

[quintiliano]

Dont give up, you'll make it! Nice vid

[youngoutlaw100]

he looks like Jared from the subway commercial

[Azulaocapoeira]

Great berimbao performance.... Though the berimbao is a great instrument, you really need skill and what I call a good ear to play this way. Congrats!

[Ulicznykucharz]

It sounds like medio

[Skelerena]

nice solo

im from brazil

my capoeira group is pescadores

i guess this berimbau ur using isnt the viola O.o

its the media cabaça one ya

[Orgazia]

you should record with soulfly:)

btw, the solo is awesome.. i liked it

[bleubel]

This sounds lovely! Please tell me what kind of berimbau this is..I'm looking into getting one and I'd love it to sound like this!!

[gregoryburrows]

hello, this berimbau came from Brazil, a traditional berimbau from beriba wood (the long stick-the Vara) and a plain gourd cabaça. Per tradition, he wire is made from the wire pulled out of an old steel-belted radial tire from a car, and I'm striking the wire with a dowel (Vaqueta) of trimmed bamboo.

[Doct0r89]

Not Vara, Verga. And that wire is called Arama. And bot Vaqueta, baqueta. And stone, that's Pedra.

[bleubel]

viola, medio, or gunga?

[gregoryburrows]

did I answer you already? sorry if I'm repeating--this is a medio cabaça.

[marisabellas]

nice solo

[Angela0318]

sound of berimbau is great:)) I love listening to berimbau:D

[oxley102]

first time i have seen the berimbau i would like to have a go at making and playing one does anyone know of any book form that would be of use those on the videos are not very clear please reply in coments

[pibip2]

Och my Godness!! it's awesome :)

[karasuja100]

gringo ...vc toca muitoooo

esse é o melhor solo que eu ja vi ....

palmas pra vc !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sardanza]

Hey Greg, this is really sweet. Without the caxixi you can really hear the nuances of the different sounds. When you studied TaKeTiNa did you study the conga or jang-go? I have a jang-go and I seriously need lessons : )

[letebaguere]

i say music man because you play the berimbau in a very structured way, similar to how a conventional musician might play an instrument... either way, very very well done man, keep up the good work

salve

[gregoryburrows]

thanks for the positive vibes, Salve. Cheers, GregB

[letebaguere]

very nice playing... have you seen suassuna play? do you do capoeira? or just a music man?

[gregoryburrows]

thank you, just watched a Suassuna video after reading your message, VERY great and inspiring. I'm not a capoerista, juat a percussionist and drummer.

[feyth85]

Very nice! You bring a whole other feel to the instrument! Good job! ^^

(however, if my Mestre would see me put the cabaca that high, he'd kick me in the shins, jk lol :P)

[RamseyMoor]

Hahaha that's what i thought, still a very nice job good clear sound and quality. Shall forward to my Capo freinds for the inspiration. Thanks i feel the Berimbau is a very underated instrument ... Thanks

[takatakatang]

awesome, thanks for making clear how the changes in sound occur

[mepis1337]

muito bom! amazing! (:

[lordoftheriffs79]

it's amazing what music you can make by using a single string a stone and a single wood

[Rodrigooasis]

Poha q dahora o Bill Gates saiu da microsoft pra tocxart berimbau heheh

[Pujc]

Tényleg jól szól. Its good, this sound....

[gregoryburrows]

thank you, it's nice to hear from Hungary. Peace, Greg B

[steeloavenger]

ahhhh dude that was fantastic!

[kenderlover]

That would be "echo".

[Xewbaca]

Muito eco.

[lefeeverte]

its a berimbau but dont sounds like a berimbau. XD

but its good anyway :D

[romarioitacare]

Voce precisam ir ao Brazil algumas vezes e treinar com os grandes Mestres para melhorar esses toques.You most to go to Brazil to learn better to play berimbau .

[nay76]

u are an idiot, vc e um idiota

[marcelorodz]

Muitos brasileiros nao sabe nem tocar berimbau, aplauda a quem sabe...

There is a lot of brazilian that has no idea how to play a berimbau, cheer for who kows ...

[RyokuKokugen]

you moved the resonator around to create a very nice sound disruption pattern and it worked extremely well, i would ask you to play at me and my friends Capoeira groups if we still held them..lol

[gregoryburrows]

thanks!  what is a 'disruption pattern,' by the way? Peace-GregB

[jclarosa]

Hey great job. Its good to see people experimenting and creating new sounds with these traditional instruments. There are like 1 million videos of people playing capoeira, so i dont know why they complain about hearing someone play something new...

Keep up the good work.

[dsarverr]

That little thing you did at the end - the kind of, echo bit, I've never heard that done on a berimbau before :-) I would really like to own one of these instruments one day!

[ZeEbAi]

heys man ur vid is great, do u happen to knoe a proper technique to string the berimbau?? cos i tried it on my freinds berimbau but it took me like a week to get it string nicely haha nearly gave up man but iam determine

[gregoryburrows]

A Google search ought to bring you some good results on that, or if you can go to a local capoeira school and take some lessons or watch them doing it.

[qwertytrewqwer]

no i mean try training capoeira!

[qwertytrewqwer]

nice, i play capoeira and thus all its toques but when im on my berimbau i also do love just pissing about playing around with any old rhythm that possess me.

[gregoryburrows]

yeah, that's about all I'm doing here--Just fiddling around with a theme that I invented about 20 seconds before the guy began filming. Thanks for your comment! I'm really amazed by some of the really serious, angry comments, I didn't realize that this would hit such emotional reactions with serious capoeristas. -GregB

[qwertytrewqwer]

berimbau is used traditionally in india, africa, caribbeans and brazil. its one of the worlds oldest instruments, stretching right back to prehistory, thus its remit is definitely broader than capoeira.

still, you should try capoeira :)

[dasabaja]

Something's not right here. Either the berimbao is not bent enough or the loop on the gourd is to wide. The gourd is resting way to high in this case. Put your index and middle finger together, that is how wide the rope loop on the gourd should be. Also check the the stress on the berimbao, is it bent enough...

Other than that, five stars for the effort. Berimbao is an instrument and like with any other instrument you can play what ever you want not just iuna, sao bento, idalina etc..

[beastporto]

what a piece of shit

[arsenio3d]

You can get the same sound, without having the cabaca so high, string/bend the berimbau more, or make the cord in the cabaca shorter,here is an example youtube. com/watch?v=equsS_jcEZw&mode=r­elated&search=

[gregoryburrows]

wow, that's beautiful, watch that one folks. But I'm sure you can see Arsenio, that I'm not playing traditional style. I'm trying some other things. Hopefully the spirits of Capoeira understand allow this... =-)

[arsenio3d]

im sure they do :P

just wanted to let you know, that thing about the cabaca, how did you learn about the berimbau?

[gregoryburrows]

I learned berimbau first about 25 years ago, from watching in concerts: Nana Vasconcelos and Airto--and trying to get that vibe going. Then, I had great lessons with Reinhard Flatischler in the Taketina teacher training where we spend many, many hours playing berimbau.

[SegundoGM]

you're not playing the traditional style, but your style is much better. =]

[focomoso]

Some will, some will turn over in their graves... but nice work. You need to learn the "third" sound: rest the rock on the string lightly and hit hard with the cabeca resting on your belly so it clicks without sounding a note. That's how you get the "Chi-chi" sound you hear in capoeira.

[gregoryburrows]

thanks, that's the most challenging sound on the berimbau I believe, to get a 'soft' "chi-chi"...

[arsenio3d]

Hmm, i dont no, is that a real toque?

Looks like he is just plaing with the sounds, try the other toques, iuna- são bento grande etc.

Also isnt the cabaca too high on the berimbau?

It should be around 20 cm from the bottom of the berimbau...

[BMIChris74]

Very impressive. He should come to a roda sometime. I'd like to hear him play Bimba's regional.

[gregoryburrows]

ok, where is it? Thanks, GB

[BMIChris74]

Sometimes there are street rodas performed in NY. I would check capoeira-forum dot com first.

[CDsinohui]

a la bestia que fregon,

buena toque! buen berimbau

chido wei!

[elnicohernandez]

no encaras flaco...

[rodrigomenescal]

q toque eh esse?

very cool

[peixinhocapoeira]

Not bad,it's difficult to play the berimbau and make a nice sound but you did it, also i can suggest you to learn how to play the tradional capoeira rythms and songs. Axe

[Cassafinn]

This is really great, not something you hear just anywhere. I particularly like the "wah" effect at the end.

[flaviotamaki]

Perfect, you just need to learn some Capoera to complete your skills rsrs,

Regards.

[flaviotamaki]

Very decent where you from?

[teimosia]

Really nice playing ! Have you heard something from Papete (brazilian percussionist) ?

Axé

Teimosia

[gregoryburrows]

hi Teimosia, I love Papete's music. All I have is the CD "Berimbau e Percussao", old stuff I think but really nice. Thank you for your comment. PEACE--Greg

[hackshield]

Very innovator but you have to improve the rythm and the playing.

[dmr235]

I enjoyed this very much. I thought it was very melodic. I feel that instruments are meant to be played in anyway that pleases the ear. I was pleased. Thanx for posting.

[sosti]

I cant say i liked it but nice try. I've been to salvador_brasil and listened to real capoerio bands. Diffrent style and nice try, but sorry to say far from what i've listened to.

[nadishana]

Hey Gregory! Thanks for comment! You berimbau playing is very musical!

[TheSilentSamurai]

Heya Greg which Berimbau Cabaca was this done with Medio or viola?, sweet solo too!

[gregoryburrows]

Thanks for the positive vibes Silent Samurai, the cabaça is a medio.  Peace,

GB

[B4mb0]

lol that was horible :P instrument for capoeira and u dont know how to prepare this instrument to tocar :P GL

[kamikazesamu]

The berimbau is the most important instrument in capoeira today, but it was the last instrument to be brought into capoeira. Along with being incorporated into jazz, etc, you will find instruments similar to it in Africa and in the Caribbean, and the use there has nothing to do with capoeira. I think its pretty sweet how he was able to tune the berimbau to play below the cabaca as well as above. Nice work!

[lozziecap]

I like this, a lot. Thank you for sharing!

[Capicilin]

Legal

Cool! =)

[GeorgePaulDavisIII]

That was pretty sweet, Greg. I could probably listen to that all day.