blues music history facts
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Tone Deaf? You Can Still Play Piano and Have Fun!
There's a joke going around that if you are tone-deaf, you can't play any music instrument. Maybe you can't tune a guitar or a piano but you can play marvelous music by pouring all your pent-up frustration on the piano keyboard because you can't carry a tune. But despite being deaf, you can still play piano like a pro.
Tone Deaf and Piano Music
You can't carry a tune but that doesn't stop you from loving the top chart busters, the blues, and the ballads. You can embrace the music in a different way. Playing the piano does not require you to be a diva or balladeer. All you have to do is learn the keys and the chords to play the rhythm, harmony, and mastering the note values. Everything is ready for you; you don't have to find the tune on the keyboard.
Being tone deaf is not a problem if you want to play your favorite song, unless you are going to create music or play by ear. The music notations are what you need to master the notes and the songs you love. For this chore, you must master reading notes or music to be able play piano, which every piano student, tone deaf or not, have to do.
With every practice and playing, you get to learn the differences in the notes - which is the highest or the lowest and which note plays longer than the rest. If you have a weak sense of rhythm, practice a piano piece with a metronome, a device that produces an aural or visual pulse at a regular beat until you can play with a consistent tempo.
Don't Just Learn to Play, Enjoy Your Music
Learning to play the piano is a complicated thing, for piano training is extensive and covers a range of musical pieces, from the classical to popular pop tunes. The training can span a number of years, usually starting at age five until you have mastered the nuances of every note, sharps and flats, and the chords. For a regular person, this is too much.
Anyone interested to learn piano can play piano without the complexities of traditional piano playing teaching methods. These days, any one can sign up for piano instructions online and learn faster than what it usually took to learn piano. If you are tone deaf, you can learn too without straining as long as you master the three basic of piano - melody, harmony, and rhythm - you can play piano with color and depth.
Piano teaching techniques are now simpler, thanks to technology and the Internet. But you need a piano teacher who can teach you the basics and take your piano playing to the next level while showing the different techniques and styles that give character to your playing. Just make sure your piano instructor knows how to teach tone deaf individuals. So never mind if you're tone deaf, you can still learn and play piano in perfect tune.
Wednesday, 6 May 2015
blues music history facts
christian blues music youtube
christian blues music youtube
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The Top 5 Stratocaster Players Of All Time
There have been numerous great guitar players throughout time that have made the Fender Stratocaster their electric guitar of choice. Several like Eric Clapton actually defected from a hallowed 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard to play the Strat.
The Stratocaster has been utilised in every style of music you can possibly imagine, from disco to rock and roll. So who are the best guitarists to use the single coil pickup tones of the Strat? Well of course this is a really personal thing as what tickles one musicians fancy, may not another. Nevertheless, for a bit of fun I have put together a list of my personal top 5 Stratocaster players from over time:
5. Coming in at number five in my list is the excellent Rory Gallagher, the gritty Irish guitarist with the most worn out Strat you've ever seen. Rory was cherished by numerous people for his straight forward raw, bluesy rock. He was superb as a live performer and was an exceptionally down to earth kind of bloke.
4. At number 4 on my list is the great Stevie Ray Vaughan. Renowned for his amazing blues playing and classic Strat tones, Stevie Ray had a huge group of fans who lapped up every riff he played. I was lucky enough to see him play live at a little London gig in Shepherds Bush and he was fantastic. He put every single ounce of energy into his performance and blew everyone away with his melodic blues playing. He constantly got the type of blues sounds from his Strat pickups that could drive a guitarist green with envy.
3. At 3 we've got Dave Gilmour of the titanic supergroup Pink Floyd. Whoever has witnessed the classy, melodic guitar playing of this man on songs like 'Comfortably Numb' are fully aware of why he deserves a 5 best placing. Not only has his guitar playing inspired an era but he seems to be a remarkably modest and decent person.
2. How can I not include Jimi Hendrix. The innovator and showman who in the opinion of many made the Strat far more famous compared to any other guitar player. It's easy for those who don't really know his playing to label him as a wild, crazy, loud player - just allow them to listen to 'Little Wing' to understand that there is a whole lot more to this particular guy's guitar playing.
1. Well, my number 1 choice of Stratocaster guitar player may surprise some however it is the amazing Jeff Beck. Beck seems to develop and improve like no other guitarist around. He ventures into areas of music that other players choose to avoid, deciding on the safer territory of rock or blues. He is melodic beyond belief and plays a Strat like it becomes an extension of| his body. His incredible use of the whammy bar is definitely for the advantage of the music, by no means for the sake of gimmick or showmanship. Jeff Beck plays notes that many other guitarists wouldn't even think about. He pushes the barriers and makes use of his Strat to assist him in doing it.
So there you have it. No Clapton, no Hank Marvin and no Mark Knopfler. Well, just like I explained, you'll have to forgive me as it is a very personalised thing.
blues rock music youtube
blues rock music youtube
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Rockabilly Music Followed A Simple Formula To Create A Revolution
Hip about ways, atypical flavors of current song bear been all more than the board stylistically. There are large differences connecting Sinatra and reel Williams! But in other ways--structurally speaking--it's surprising how strictly atypical pop styles go along with related structural patterns. Hip to facilitate respect, rockabilly song shares much in mutual with many atypical genres of current song.
Having mature absent of a combination of realm, blues, gospel, and rhythm and blues song of the experimental semi of very last century, it shouldn't be too surprising to facilitate rockabilly song shares much in mutual with all of persons genres. Specifically, rockabilly songs typically go along with the familiar 12-bar blues pattern to facilitate forms the foundation of millions of songs to facilitate bear been printed and recorded in not individual the blues design, but moreover realm, rock and roll, folk song, and many others.
So, I beg your pardon? Exactly is the "12-bar blues" pattern? For musicians who take part in in some of the styles I've mentioned at this juncture, the pattern is minute nature. Musicians who don't remuneration much attention to song theory might not even realize they're in concert the pattern--it very soon appears in so many songs to facilitate it's been fixed into them. But many non musicians bear maybe heard the tenure and wondered I beg your pardon? It's all on the order of. And in lieu of rockabilly fans, why must you carefulness?
Well, you certainly are not necessary to understand the 12-bar blues pattern to benefit from rockabilly song, but if you're interested to know how it moving parts, here's a down-and-dirty basic rapid!
The pattern is simply a composition to facilitate the song writer uses to create a song to facilitate makes sensation to the western listener's ear. There's rejection law to facilitate says a song writer requirement stick to the composition, but individual can't go off too far iniquitous with it. The composition brings direct familiarity to the listener and makes them feel comfortable with wherever the song's obtainable. The composer applies this composition typically to the verses of the song and--not surprisingly prearranged the structure's name--it is 12 bars, or musical measures, long. The close of persons 12 bars leads comfortably into the then section of the song whether it be an added 12-bar verse pattern or a departure used as a chorus, solo, or passage section.
Let's take the classic Carl Perkins song "Blue Suede Shoes" in lieu of our pattern. The song sticks to the 12-bar blues composition and might be the peak rockabilly song eternally printed. Think of the principal verse of the song wherever Perkins helps us count absent the measures by given that us with the famous "Well it's individual in lieu of the money, two in lieu of the demonstrate, three to understand arranged, nowadays go off cat go off."
The "one," "two," and "three" of the lyrics fall on the principal beat of measures individual, two, and three of the verse. Add in the "go cat go" and you've already made it through four of the 12 bars in the pattern. Perkins uses in the main the same musical chord in lieu of persons principal four measures. That chord might specifically be an E or an A or some other chord depending winning the scale in which the song is played, but commonly it is recognized as the "one" chord. The span of to facilitate chord is connected to the 12-bar blues in to facilitate a very mutual chording pattern (one, four, individual, five, one) typically moving parts supply in supply with the 12-bar pattern. That's an added debate in lieu of an added calendar day and starts diving deeper into song theory than largely fans famine to understand!
After persons principal four bars, the song switches to what's recognized as the "four" chord and the song's melody changes accordingly. The song stays on the four chord in lieu of two bars. Hip our pattern, Perkins sings, "Now don't you step on my blue suede" and we're six bars in--half way through the pattern. The word "shoes kicks rotten the seventh prevent of the pattern back on the "one" chord and Perkins fills the remnants of prevent seven and prevent eight with a nifty guitar riff.
Over bars nine and ten, Perkins sings "do everything, but lay offa my blue suede shoes" more than what's recognized as the "five" chord. He finishes rotten the pattern back on the individual chord with his extreme guitar lick again and at that moment the entire pattern repeats itself as he launches into the "Well you can hit me down..." of verse two.
"Blue Suede Shoes" is a brilliant pattern of the 12-bar blues pattern in rockabilly song. It's in reality somewhat strange since the song doesn't bear a conspicuous chorus section. Instead, Perkins builds I beg your pardon? Serves as his chorus reasonable into the very last eight bars of the verse so to facilitate the two in reality share the same 12-bar pattern in its place of using manifestly atypical patterns in lieu of all.
"Blue Suede Shoes" is simply a extreme pattern of the 12-bar blues pattern used in rockabilly and other forms of current song. Things understand even more out of the ordinary after song writers start in concert with and experimenting around the standard pattern. There are rejection appoint rules on the order of how many bars a song or its original sections has to bear. For pattern, Gene Vincent's brilliant "Be Bop a Lula" uses a standard 12-bar blues pattern in lieu of the chorus (where Gene sings, "Be Bop a Lula she's my baby. Occur Bop a Lula I don't mean maybe." and so on.) But his verse sections habit an strange eight-bar pattern and it all moving parts beautifully.
blues and soul music magazine
blues and soul music magazine
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Jazz Movies: Best Films about Jazz
Everybody knows that the The Jazz Singer was the first ever sound film in history. In the almost eighty years that have passed since then, many jazz singers, jazz musicians and jazz orchestras appeared and or were the theme of many films. Here you can read about three of the top movies on jazz for jazz fans and fans of good cinema.
Bird 1988
Bird was the nickname of the great jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker. Bird is also the title of the biopic that was directed by Clint Eastwood on Bird who has been struggling for wide recognition of his music as well as fighting with his self destructive tendencies until his death in the early age of 34. However, the movie avoids depicting the cliche of the rise and fall of the drug addict musician. Mainly thanks to Eastwood whose love of jazz is evident in every scene of the 160 minutes feature. Talented Forest Whitaker plays an excellent leading role of Bird.
Charlie Parker fans do not need this recommendation, but they would probably appreciate the fact that the film soundtrack features original recording by Bird. Those who have seen documentaries about Parker would enjoy the great preparation work Whitaker has done for the role. Fans of Clint Eastwood tougher filmography would not be disappointed either, since Bird is definitely one of the best, if not the finest, movies directed by Eastwood.
Round Midnight 1986
The character of Dale Turner, whose relationship with a young French fan sets the plot of Bertrand Tavernier film of 1986, was inspired by several jazz legends such as Lester Young, Bud Powell and more. The great jazz saxophonist Dexter Gordon donated his personal experiences and acquaintances with the jazz world to create the role of the troubled jazz saxophonist who leaves his homeland and moves to Paris in a search of admiration. In Paris, Turner meets Francis Borler a local fan who becomes his caretaker who successfully helps him in his struggle with alcoholism, drug abuse, depression and trouble making.
Regardless to your taste in music, Round Midnight is an optimistic film that celebrates the love of people and the power of music. Unless your heart is made of stone, you cannot watch the scene in which Borler observes Turner from the other side of the road as he orders orange juice in a cafe without shedding a tear. Jazz fans would be happy to know that Herbie Hancock is responsible for the Academy Award winning music score.
Mo Better Blues 1990
A talented trumpeter who cannot make the right decisions in both his professional and personal life is in the center of Spike Lees 1990 film. Denzel Washington plays the role of the fictional New York trumpeter Bleek Gilliam who tangles with two girlfriends, Joie Lee and Cynda Williams, a competitive saxophonist, Wesley Snipes, who aims to take over the quartet he heads, and a manager, Spike Lee, with gambling problems.
As the son of the appreciated Jazz bass player, Bill Lee, Spike Lee was born and raised into the world of jazz. However, Mo Better Blues focuses mainly on Bleak personal issues. If you are expecting unusual insights, you might be disappointed but it still quality entertainment with excellent acting and good music. Bill Lee took care of the music score that includes music by Miles Davis, Branford Marsalis, Abbey Lincoln and other contemporary jazz musicians.
Bottom line, you do not have to be a fan of jazz to enjoy a good movie as much as you do not have to be an android to appreciate a good sci fi film. Whether you are a jazz fan or you fall asleep each time you hear the sound of an alt sax, the three movies recommended above are worth watching.
blues music history youtube
blues music history youtube
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Beginner Blues Piano Chords
A very popular genre of piano to learn is the Blues piano. This genre of music stems from other genres such as jazz and ultimately once you know that basics of Blues piano you will notice that other genres will come easy to play as well.
The most common Blues piano chord progression in known as the 12-Bar Blues. It gets its name from the progression lasting 12 bars and the actual chord progression is a natural sounding progression. By this I mean that the chord progression at the end sounds complete and finished although the progression may be repeated throughout the piece. One of the most well known uses of the 12-bar blues sound is the main pattern after the introduction in Glen Millar's ‘In the Mood', found in the main theme
The easiest way to learn the 12-Bar Blues is to break the progression into three parts, so each ‘section' last 4 bars and each bar lasts 4 beats. All 12-bar blues have the 4 over 4 time signature. I am going to presume that you already know a little about music, chord symbols and keys. So to start us off, most musicians will use 7th chords when playing the 12-bar blues and to make things easier, we're going to play the 12-bar blues progression in the key of ‘C'.
The first of the three sections is I-I-I-I, or C, C, C, C played on the first beat of every bar. The second section is IV-IV-I-I or F, F, C, C, again played on the first beat of every bar. Finally, the third section is V-IV-I-I or G, F, C, C, played on the first beat of the bar. Therefore, the complete pattern is as follows remembering to play the relative note on the 1st beat of every 4:
C | C | C | C | F | F | C | C | G | F | C | C |
To make it sound more ‘bluesy”, you need to add the 7th chord pattern in each bar with each beat of the bar having a note of the 7th chord. I'll explain. The 7th chord of C is C, E, G, Bb, the 7th chord of F is F, A, C, Eb, and the 7th chord of G is G, B, D, F. Therefore, the pattern will be the same with a more blues sound:
C E G Bb | C E G Bb | C E G Bb | C E G Bb | F A C Eb | F A C Eb | C E G Bb | C E G Bb | G B D F | F A C Eb | C E G Bb | C E G Bb |
From the above, you can see that we have still kept the 12-bar pattern but made the sound more ‘bluesy'.
Finally, to give it that even more extra bluesy feel we are going to add a new note in the pattern (the 6th of the chord) and ascend and descend, again playing a note on every beat. Therefore, the new pattern will be:
C E G A | Bb A G E | C E G A | Bb A G E | F A C D | Eb D C A | C E G A | Bb A G E | G B D F | F A C Eb | C E G A | Bb A G E C |
Once you have mastered the 12-bar blues pattern it is recommended that you learn the same pattern in other keys and being able to play it naturally without thinking. This will ultimately give your blues piano ability a better grounding.
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Contributions Of R&b Music Artists Rhythm and Blues, popularly known as R&B music is a genre of music which has its roots in Afro-American culture. It is widely accepted as a fusion between two genres of music jazz and blues. It came into existence in 1940s, but was formally accepted by music enthusiasts in later part of twentieth century. R&B music exploded in the 1970s with bands such as the Jackson 5, Earth Wind & Fire and Stevie Wonder and the popular Motown sound becoming the defining sound of popular urban culture. Later we would witness R&B superstars such as Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Usher Raymond and Chris Brown becoming genuine global superstars selling millions of albums and generating billions of dollars in revenue. The introduction of music video channels such as MTV and BET Television saw the popularity of R&B music and R&B music videos grow even further. Where for the first time the public could watch live and recorded Hip hop music videos and R&B music videos of all of their favorite artists from the comfort of their own home. The King Of Pop Michael Jackson was just one of the R&B singers to benefit from the growth and popularity of R&B music videos. Other stars such as Chris Brown and Justin Timberlake would become global icons because of this exposure. The advent of the internet increased the popularity of both Hip hop music videos and R&B music videos still further as it has seen dedicated urban music websites such as Urban-Natio.com showcasing some of the hottest Hip hop music videos and some of the best R&B music videos from the hottest artists around. Of the modern day R&B artists many critics include R&B superstar Chris Brown as one of the biggest global R&B music icons. From his delicious debut single “Run It” with its amazing Chris Brown music video which became his first number one single to his current hit “Deuces” R&B superstar Chris Brown continues to dazzle his fans with incredible stage performances, stunning R&B music videos and incredible multi platinum selling albums. R&B star Beyonce Knowles is another R&B artist who can claim to be a genuine global R&B music superstar. The talented R&B singer famous for her incredible stage performances; her infectious R&B songs and stunning R&B music videos has also had three platinum selling albums. Beyonce`s music videos for songs such as “Crazy In Love” have also dominated MTV`s playlists in recent years and with a new album planned in 2011 many critics are already suggesting that R&B superstar Beyonce Knowles will continue her reign on her throne as the true Queen Of R&B music. R&B star Akon is another R&B artist who has achieved huge success over the last few years. Akon made his debut with his excellent “Trouble” album in 2004. He rose to prominence with the single “Locked Up” with its stunning Akon music video. His second album “Konvicted” was also a huge hit and it would appear that another global R&B superstar was born. Further R&B singles were released including the delicious “Smack That” which was also nominated for a Grammy Award and with Akon all set to release his brand new album in 2011 it seems that this talented R&B artist is all set to top the charts all over again. There are many other prominent artists such as Brandy, Monica, Omarion, Usher, Justin Timberlake, and Mario who have achieved incredible success in the R&B music field and have continued the incredible popularity of this genre of music. And with more R&B artists appearing each year such as R&B star Ne-Yo, Ciara and Trey Songz this trend is set to continue well into the next decade.
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Common Instruments In R&b Rhythm and blues is a variety of related but different types of music combined in to one. We will discuss some information on rhythm and blues and the main instruments that are commonly used in this type of music. The most common types of instruments used in this type of music is a drum set, bass, a piano (an organ can often be used instead of the piano), and the guitar, while the horn section features saxophones, trumpets, and sometimes trombones. The importance on horns in most styles of this type of music has been one of the ways in which the music has been historically recognized differently to that of white rock music. What is musical instruments used in rhythm and blues known as Today, rhythm and blues has become known as R&B and many black Americans have taken a major interest in this type of music. Rhythm and blues has gone more towards rap than the old style; many songs are now released that are classed as R&B when they are mostly rap. However they often do have a R&B melody in the background, but, it is no where near the same as this type of music once was. Musical instruments used in rhythm and blues today Today, the rhythm and blues style of music is ruling the musical scene once again. In the past has it has experienced several peaks of popularity, but, it normally dies out for a while after each peak. The 1950s are classed as a peak point for rhythm and blues; however, in the early 1960s it was replaced and died in popularity due to the huge popularity of soul music. The popularity of musical instruments used in rhythm and blues In the early 1980s, rhythm and blues peaked in popularity again, ruling the music industry alongside disco. The music then died out again. Recently, the music has become popular again with artists like Black eyed Peas, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, and other famous artists. If you trace the music style back over the decades, you will find it has had its peaks in popularity over the many decades, starting from the early 1950s. From 2000 in to 2007, this style of music has been ruling the charts, maybe we will see a die in this type of music, however, with the current trends, and the way society is today, this music will likely continue to soar over in to the next decade. Only time will tell which type of music will rule the industry in the next few decades. This summarizes our musical instruments used in rhythm and blues article.
blues music history timeline
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A Review Of The Martin 000X1 Blues Guitar The Martin 000X1 is offered as a starter in the well known Martin stable and gives quite a punch for it's size. Comparable guitars of this size are theTaylor: 110 Larrivée: OM-03 SP and Blueridge BR-43. You can find many glowing reviews of the 000X1 on line, and you can believe them. A purist may say that it can't be any good, as the body and neck are artificial, but don't be put off! First of all, this guitar has literally no extras. There are fret position markers on the side, for example, but not on the fret board itself. The bridge and fret board are made from Morado. The neck is stratabond, a bit like a plywood, but really solid looking. It has no binding, and the solid spruce sound board is finished in satin. The rosette is not inlaid, but sports a tasteful decal. I like the basi appearance of this Martin guitar, but of course I'm more concerned with playability. The instrument is really comfortable to hold partly because of it's small sound box, and I just love playing it. The neck is medium thin and slick, and the body is just the right weight. I don't like really light guitars. The Martin 000X1 is made in Mexico with the right attitude to quality work associated with the company. The width at the nut 1-11/16", but seems somehow more than that. Of course, Martin have the experience to make very good use of the available space. There's plenty of room to clear the strings with fat fingers, but the strings are spaced well enough enough to facilitate quick finger movements. The sound board is braced in the X-series style which Martin is famous for. This instrument has great tone overall, but it's the basses that really impress - as you might think with a Martin guitar. The E and A strings exhibit a resonance not found in most other guitars of this size. The bass tone is bit 'dirty', which is great if you want to pick the blues. This dirty sound is according to preference, but it suits me just fine. I bought the 000X1AE, which has a pickup under the saddle, and a volume plus tone control discretely fitted just inside the body near the sound hole. A Great Starter Blues Guitar It comes into it's own when playing the blues, I found. Forceful finger picking doesn't detract from the quality of this instrument. The strings may bounce a little, but hey, it's blues! The overall volume is not the loudest, as as you would think from an small body size, but that magic sustain must come from somewhere. I picked the bass E and found that it rang a long time after. This can produce really great effects, such as bending the treble strings some over that droning bass note. Hopefully, you found this brief review helpful, specially if you were thinking of investing in this guitar. If I try hard, there are negative features I could think of. For example, the spruce sound board is very lightly laquered and can be prone to bangs and scrapes. That said, the back and sides are probably indestructable. I've given mine several pretty heavy bangs with no obvious damage. Another bit of advice I could offer - the look of body can vary hugely between guitars, and some of them are not so attractive, so go and choose one at your local music store rather than order over the internet. Conclusion: The Martin 000X1 is possibly the best little blues guitar you can buy in the low budget range.
Saturday, 2 May 2015
A History of the Rio Carnival
The word Carnival is derived from the Italian word ‘Carnevale’ and Medieval Latin ‘Carne levamen’ meaning ‘put away flesh’ as during Lent when flesh eating was considered taboo.
Initially the church was against the reveling and tried to stop participation. Believers ignored the church and eventually the Carnival became accepted as an outlet to indulge in pleasure for the 4 days of the festival before observing Lent.
In 1723 immigrants from the Portuguese islands started the Entrudo. The word Entrudo could mean the ‘entry’ into Lent or the ‘intrusion’. The idea was to go out on the streets with buckets of water and limes or oranges and soak everyone, no-one was immune. Even Emperors participated in the fun. Eventually it became a nuisance and the practice was outlawed by the authorities.
The Rio Carnival first started in 1840 when the wife of the Italian ambassador to Brazil arranged a Carnival in Rio. A ball was held with Musicians, dancers and streamers setting a trend in celebrations and paving the way in the minds of Brazilians for programs that the less privileged could join in.
Zé Pereira was started in the 19th century by a Portuguese shoemaker and his friends who would march the streets on Carnival Mondays playing drums, tambourines, pans, and whistles. Everybody joined in and even kitchen utensils were used as musical instruments.
In 1855 the Grandes Sociedades (Great Societies) organized a parade including the Emperor. The parade was a success with 80 masked aristocrats participating in the parade with masks, luxury costumes, music and flowers.
In 1870 the Cardao Carnavalesco started when poor dressed as queens, kings, and princes and the rich dressed as witches, peasants and street dancers all performing the role of the costumes they wore. Equality among the classes lasted for the 4 days of Carnival returning to their real class when Carnival ended.
Cordoes de Velhos was the name given to those who wore large and often bizarre papier-mache masks and walked with the gait of an old mans as if they are unable to dance or sing.
Later the Cordoes became the Blocos de Sujos, where everyone could join in plain clothes. The Blocos de Baianas were men dressed in white colonial clothes that acted as security to the Blocos. There was a percussion band and vocalist, and a women-only chorus of Pastoras.
Today the Blocos parade is free and can be seen on the Av. Rio Branco on all Carnival days Saturday to Tuesday starting at 2pm.
Ranchos Carnavalescos was started as a working class festivity in 1872 by Hilario Jovino. Participants were more organized than the Cordoes and wore glittering costumes and performed accompanied by an orchestra of strings, ganzas, flutes, and other instruments. This festival became popular with the poor around 1911.
The Ranchos started organized competitions until 1990 with sponsorship from the Hanseatica Brewery. Together with the Great Societies they became a main attraction of the Carnival.
During World War II the parades stopped and restarted after the war in 1947.
The granddaddies of current floats were the Corso who introduced a parade of cars to the Carnival 1907. In the 1930’s this celebration became popular with most car owners in the city participating. Revellers brought along streamers, confetti and spray cologne water.
The history of the Rio Carnival is not complete without the ‘Cariocas’. The Portuguese living in Brazil called themselves Cariocas after the Natives christened them Caricoas or white people living in the houses built in clusters. Today they are fashionable groups of jovial young men of all races and religions, singing, dancing or just playing and always ready to help others. Anyone with time to revel and roam the streets and beaches can join their group. Without the Cariocas, year round, the city of Rio would be like any other city in the world.
Samba music and Samba Schools are an integral part of the Rio Carnival as well as life in Brazil. Samba is played at the ‘Sambdrome’ and entry is by high priced tickets. Anyone attending the Rio Carnival should attend the Samba Show.
In the 19th century ladies from Bahia, priestesses of Candomble, lived in an area called Little Africa and sold food delicacies around town. They were influential in the community and typically wore white dresses with big round skirts.
One lady had meetings often entertained with live music. The samba took place in the back of her house, a term used for the ritual Candomble dance to drums and handclaps. The two beats came together and the first song named the Samba was composed in her house. Later Noel Rosa's Com que Roupa, had a broader range of instruments which became staples in a samba song.
In 1928 the Samba evolved into the first Samba School called the Mangueira. In the 40's and 50's the Samba Schools consolidated with a theme, a theme song, costumes and floats.
In the 60's and 70's the Samba gained prestige with the middle and upper middle classes. Albino Pinheiro, helped with his famous pre-Carnival balls. The Samba Parade became more popular, and in 1971 each Samba School was given a set time in the parade. The songs gained a faster beat, and a theme song for the Samba Schools was released on an album in 1972.
The Carnival made Samba famous but the Samba now has its’ own place in the sun. Today's Escolas de Samba (Samba Schools) are complex and have many wings and floats.
Today's Carnavalescos concept of design was initiated in 1959 when artists Dirceu and Maria Louise Nery designed their parade featuring painter Debret as the theme.
Initially Carnival celebrations were held in theatres, or houses of the rich. Today each street has a ‘Banda’ a club of young men who march, sing and play in an orchestra through predetermined routes. They wear special T shirts and a visitor can buy one on the spot and join the company.
Todays Blocos, like the Bandas are small groups of young men around a particular street. They select a theme song for the march rather than singing popular hits like the Bandas. They rehearse before events adding more fervor to the main Carnival. Their T shirts are themed to the main event. Today there are over 100 Blocos in Rio
It is natural for people to revel to forget the problems of everyday life. All cultures provide a release for this to varying extents. Some societies suppress it, others control it, while others celebrate it.
The Brazilian government didn’t want the colonist celebrations but the people rioted until their favorite celebration was endorsed by the government. The Carnival came back with more spice and fervor than before. Many immigrants have enriched the celebration with their different cultures.
Brazilians celebrate it, no inhibitions; no taboos, just celebrations whether it’s Carnival, Samba or Soccer they revel in it. Carnival season lasts 4 days and they make the most of it.
Carnival will never die as it evolves with the changing times. It has become a increasing staple to the Brazilian tourism industry. Tourists love it as they can participate in the world’s greatest cultural event.
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