The Candomble Orchestra

The Candomble Orchestra is a highly relevant audio-visual musical study of the principal rhythms of the Candomble of the Ketu nation. This comprehensive step-by-step guide is valuable to both beginning and accomplished musicians alike. Directed by bassist Hank Schroy and percussionist Bira Reis, this Afro-Brazilian study of Candomble rhythms has been made in collaboration with the Alabes of Ile-Oxumare, in Salvador, Bahia. The drums used in The Candomble Orchestra are called atabaques. They are named rum, pi, and le, and are played with the agogo (two headed cowbell), or gan (single cowbell). This instructional video is intended to serve anyone interested in the percussion of Candomble, including Candomble initiates, music lovers, and those who want to teach the method. The textured, flowing meditation on ensemble drumming progressively becomes more complex and intoxicating. The first rhythm, the Pao, is performed freely. 17 rhythms are then presented in sequential order. Each shows the individual parts played separately to a metronome. The rhythms are also played live without a metronome. Multi-angle and multi-channel views make it possible to visualize the techniques from many perspectives. Also included is an informative explanation of the rhythms as they relate to the broader context of Candomble. The DVD menu allows easy access to each component. 85 chapters are viewable through various categories: by rhythm, by orixa, by instrument group, and by tempo, ordered by bpm.