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Hand Signals

James Brown

(Tune sign: move hands in circles beside both sides of head, to suggest a 'Jackson 5' haircut)

Notes:

Named after the Godfather of Soul because Break 1 and the end of Break 2 sounds just like the beginning of the James Brown classic “Like a Sex Machine”.

In this tune, the low Surdo swaps one of its beaters for a plastic Repenique stick (aka a whippy stick) to get a higher pitched sound.

Start with break 2 played through once.

Break 3 is played so that the snare keeps playing its normal rhythm, whilst everyone else plays the break. It is normally played 4 times, although you can play it over and over until the mestre gives the signal to go back into the groove.

Try for a bit of a difference having everyone play the groove rhythm on the rims of their instruments (signal by holding a stick up and pointing to it). Call Break 1 (played normally) and then go back to playing on rims. Repeat this a few times before going back to playing the groove normally by calling Break 2.

Also try stopping everyone except the Surdos - it's a funky rhythm in its own right!

The short break in this tune doesn't sound too great strung together repeatedly, unlike most short breaks.

Break up the groove by stopping everyone for a count of four except for one group of instruments to continue playing through the silence.

End with break 2.

[Sound files] [Printable Version]

Groove

x = hit

w = played with a whippy stick close to the rim get a higher pitched sound.

fl = flare on repenique

. = shadow note on snare

l = low agogo bell

h = high agogo bell

Break 1

(Signal: hold up 1 finger)

1st note (*E) is played on the upbeat of the last bar of the groove - there is no pause

x = hit

Break 2/ Intro break

(Signal: hold up 2 fingers)

S = Surdos

E = Everyone else

Break 3

(Signal: hold up 3 fingers)

Repeat 4 times 

x = hit

Sound files

[Printable Version]