The samba pulse
Samba is in 2/4, with the strong beat on beat two, where the surdo comes in. On top, the sixteenth notes of the ganzá or tamborim never stop.
How to practise
- Start slow, around 80, and build up gradually.
- Change the accents to bring out beat two.
- Use muted bars to check you keep the groove.
Frequently asked questions
How fast is samba?
It depends on the style: bossa nova can be slow and escola de samba very fast.