Choro Music and Instrumentation

List the traditional instruments found in a choro ensemble and their roles.

• a flute (solo instrument), a cavaquinho, two guitars (one providing bass), and a pandeiro.

• only of string instruments without any percussion.

• brass instruments like trumpets and trombones.

Explain the tuning and playing technique of the cavaquinho.

• six strings tuned to standard guitar tuning. played with fingers instead of a pick.

• a small, plucked lute with four metal strings tuned to d’– g’ – b’– d’’. It is played with a pick.

What is the bandolim, and when was it introduced into choro music?

• The bandolim is a small mandolin-like string instrument introduced into choro music in the 1940s or 1950s.

• The bandolim has seven strings and was introduced into choro music in the 19th century.

• The bandolim is a wind instrument similar to a flute, introduced into choro music in the 18th century.

Describe the construction and playing technique of the pandeiro.

• The pandeiro is a large, barrel-shaped drum played with mallets.

• pandeiro is a tambourine-like hand frame drum with a tunable drum head and metal jingles around the rim

• The pandeiro has no drum head and produces sound solely from the metal jingles around the rim.

What is the typical musical form of a choro composition?

Explain the rhythmic patterns used in waltzes and choros in 3/4 time.

How do sections in choro compositions tend to be structured?

• Choro compositions have a single continuous section with no clear structure.

• Choro compositions strictly adhere to binary form with two contrasting sections.

• Choro compositions have an improvisational structure with no predefined sections.

• Sections in choro compositions tend to be regular, either 16 or 32 bars long, and are often repeated.

How do guitarists contribute to the rhythm and melody in choro music?

• Guitarists primarily focus on improvisational solos in choro music.

• Guitarists only play the melody in choro music, leaving rhythm to other instruments.

• Guitarists have no specific role in choro music and are purely decorative.

• Guitarists play bass lines and chords, providing rhythmic accompaniment and harmonic support in choro music.

Who were the main solo instruments in the earlier development of choro music?

• The guitar and cavaquinho were the main solo instruments in the earlier development of choro music.

• Brass instruments like trumpets and saxophones were the main solo instruments in the earlier development of choro music.

• There were no solo instruments in the earlier development of choro music; it was purely ensemble music.

• The flute and later the bandolim were the main solo instruments in the earlier development of choro music.

Discuss the cultural and musical fusion present in choro music.

• Choro is a complex blend of European melodies and harmonies with Afro-Brazilian rhythmic timbres and textures, reflecting the cultural diversity and heritage of Brazil.

• Choro music is purely European in origin and has no Afro-Brazilian influences.

• Choro music exclusively focuses on either European or Afro-Brazilian musical elements, but not both.

• Choro music is solely influenced by indigenous Brazilian musical traditions, with no European or African influences.