Study for Pandeiros & Tan-tan (Ritmos da Mão Brasileiro)
Considered Brazil’s national instrument and an icon of samba, the tonal and rhythmic complexity of the pandeiro is increasingly more popular in the US. This performance study for two pandeiros and accompanying tan-tan (the smaller, lap version of the deep-sounding surdo) features a variety of rhythms associated with Brazilian cultures.
Exploring selected performance techniques on these instruments, this percussion trio provides a variety of patterns and technical combinations of sound production with the intent to encourage improvisation, in addition to a very basic insight into a few performance styles (including Samba, Baião, Maracatu, Xaxado, and Capoeira).
The notation for pandeiro and tan-tan is relatively easy to read and comprehend.