Surdo: Encyclopedia II - Surdo - Different kinds of Surdos

Surdo - Different kinds of Surdos

A typical Rio-style samba bateria has three kinds of surdos. The largest, called primeiro or marcacao, is the deepest-pitched drum in the entire band, and generally provides the rhythmic reference for the entire band. It hits the "2" of the basic "1, 2" rhythm of samba, and it also hits pick-up beats to start the entire band.

The primeiro surdo is answered by a slightly smaller and higher-pitched surdo, called segundo, resposta, or respondor. It hits the "1" of the basic "1, 2" rhythm of samba.

The third surdo is the smallest, and is called terceiro or cortador ("cutter" in English). It plays a more complicated pattern, with fills and syncopations, "cutting" across the rhythm of the other two surdos.

Together the three surdos play a distinctive pattern which propels and drives the samba.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Different kinds of Surdos", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki