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Hand Signals

Sambasso

Notes:

This is probably the hardest tune we play, but stick with it as it sounds fab once you've nailed it.

All of the instruments have parts that are played over 4 beats, except the tams who have a pattern played over 8. It is important to call breaks etc at the right time.

In this tune, the all of the surdo players swap one of their beaters for a plastic Repenique stick (aka a whippy stick) and play close to the rim with that hand to get a higher pitched sound. Remember that the "beater" notes play on the beat, keeping an even tempo.

In this tune, the tam part is quite complicated. We remember it by using the chant "When I go out I take my hat. If I've forgotten it I get wet". It doesn't start right on the beat but rather on the off beat. To come in at the right time, take a quick sharp breath or silently say "one" before coming in.

The initial whistle bits of breaks 1 and 2 are played over everyone's normal pattern and can be done at any time. This means that extra attention has to be paid to what the mestre is doing. Break 2 is played like break 1 but with a silence of 4 beats after it. In larger bands or noisy environments where it's not so easy to hear, it's probably worth the mestre signalling first.

The intro break (break 3) in particular is quite difficult. Play part 1 through, then go straight into part 2. This is played 4 times. This contains both normal notes and quieter ghost notes (similar to what the snares normally play). When playing the second half of the intro break, the repenique part comes in on the up-beat of the previous cycle - there is no gap between each repeat.

[Sound files] [Printable Version]

Groove

x = hit

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

. = shadow note on snare

l = low agogo bell

h = high agogo bell

Break 1 (whistle break)

(Signal: 1 finger held up and point at whistle)

Break 2 (whistle break)

(Signal: two fingers held up and point at whistle)

Intro break

 Intro, part 1 (played once)

And then it continues into...

Intro, part 2 (played 4 times)

Play this 4 times

Repenique part starts on the last beat of the response, so that the A* notes are all played together. Don't play the last note on the last repeat.

R = repenique hit

. = ghost note on repenique

E = everyone else

A = All

Break 3

(Signal: three fingers held up)

S = Surdos

E = Everyone else

l = low agogo bell 

h = high agogo bell

Sound files

[Printable Version]