How many bells does an Agogo have?
How many bells does an Agogo have?
The Agogo bells – most often heard in African or Latin music – are a great piece of percussion to teach children about pitch, rhythm and also tempo. With up to four bells, you can get a range of pitch and size. Sometimes made of metal, sometimes made of wood, these agogos are lightweight and easy to hold.
What is the role of Agogo Bells?
When mastered, this bell produces a range of interesting sounds including buoyant pitch bends. Agogo hold a vital role in ensemble music as a time keeper. Popular with musicians, facilitators and schools.
What is the role of the Agogo Bells in Samba?
The agogo is one of the rare melodic instruments of the batucada with high pitched tones. As for tamborim or surdos, in fast tempos, the section of agogos can improvise melodic interlaced lines fluctuating and enchanting, which give this both “compact” and living character, so typical of the samba.
Where did the Agogo Bells originate?
West Africa
Originated from the traditional Yoruba music of West Africa, the instrument has been used for decades in African Religions, Capoeira groups, Bandas and as one of the oldest Samba instruments. The Agogo played in the carnival of Rio de Janeiro is the one with four mouths (or four bells, as the old guard group prefers).
Which of the Agogo Bells sounds higher in pitch bigger or smaller?
The agogô may be the oldest samba instrument and was based on West African Yoruba single or double bells. The agogô has the highest pitch of any of the bateria instruments….Agogô
| Modern agogo bell | |
|---|---|
| Other names | gan gan (smaller version) |
| Timbre | bright, uniform |
| Volume | medium to loud |
| Attack | fast |
What is an Agogo bell made of?
The bells can be made of metal, castanhas-do-Pará (Brazil nut shells), coconuts, gourds, wood, or large seeds. The agogô is found in a variety of Afro-Brazilian musical styles including maracatu, maculelê, batucada of the samba schools, afoxé, songs of capoeira, and more.
What sound does a Agogo make?
The most common arrangement is two bells attached by a U shaped piece of metal. The smaller bell is held uppermost. Either bell may be hit with a wooden stick to make a cowbell like sound or less commonly a clicking sound is produced by squeezing the two bells together.
