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Viola (Brazil)
Encyclopedia
The viola caipira is a ten-string
, five-course
guitar
. Unlike most steel-string guitars, its strings are plucked with the fingers of the right hand similarly to the technique used for classical
and flamenco guitar
s, rather than by the use of a plectrum
.
It is a folk instrument commonly found in Brazil
, where it is often simply called viola
The origins of the viola caipira are obscure, but folklorist Luís da Câmara Cascudo
believes it to be an archaic form of the Arab lute
(al-luth) that elsewhere evolved into the modern guitar. It is likely a descendant of one of the many folk guitars that have traditionally been
played in Portugal. The viola braguesa and viola amarantina, for instance, are two types of ten-string guitars from the north of Portugal, which are closely related to the viola caipira.
Some have claimed the viola caipira to be the national instrument of Brazil , but the tambourine-like pandeiro
has a stronger claim to being this . The Brazilian Embassy in Washington lists a national flower among the official symbols of Brazil, but no national musical instrument . What is undisputed is that the viola caipira was introduced in São Paulo
before the violão, and is the basis for the música caipira, or São Paulo´s folk music, as Inezita Barroso
states.
A large number of tunings are used; open tunings are common.
Violas are present in nearly all Brazilian music forms, anywhere in the country (although it is declining in some places). It most often associated with Caipira Music (Brazilian country music), with some forms of North-Eastern music and with folkloric music. It was once used to play urban music, like choro
, samba
and Maxixe
, but has been replaced by the acoustic guitar.
The greatest virtuosos of Brazilian viola are Zé Côco do Riachão (composer from Minas Gerais
) , Toninho Ramos (composer from Minas Gerais
live in France
) and Almir Sater (successful singer-songwriter from Mato Grosso do Sul
).
A National Association of Viola Players (Associação Nacional dos Violeiros) has been founded in 2004 and the Ministry of Culture has declared the preservation of the Viola tradition as of national interest.
Ten-string guitar
There are many varieties of ten-string guitar, including:* Both electric and acoustic guitars.* Instruments used principally for classical, folk and popular music.* Both coursed and uncoursed instruments.-Ten-stringed harp guitars:...
, five-course
Course (music)
A course is a pair or more of adjacent strings tuned to unison or an octave and usually played together as if a single string. It may also refer to a single string normally played on its own on an instrument with other multi-string courses, for example the bass string on a nine string baroque...
guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
. Unlike most steel-string guitars, its strings are plucked with the fingers of the right hand similarly to the technique used for classical
Classical guitar
The classical guitar is a 6-stringed plucked string instrument from the family of instruments called chordophones...
and flamenco guitar
Flamenco guitar
A flamenco guitar is a guitar similar to a classical guitar. Flamenco guitar also refers to toque, the guitar-playing part of the art of Flamenco.-Brief history:...
s, rather than by the use of a plectrum
Plectrum
A plectrum is a small flat tool used to pluck or strum a stringed instrument. For hand-held instruments such as guitars and mandolins, the plectrum is often called a pick, and is a separate tool held in the player's hand...
.
It is a folk instrument commonly found in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, where it is often simply called viola
The origins of the viola caipira are obscure, but folklorist Luís da Câmara Cascudo
Luís da Câmara Cascudo
Luís da Câmara Cascudo was a Brazilian anthropologist, folklorist, journalist, historian, lawyer, and lexicographer....
believes it to be an archaic form of the Arab lute
Lute
Lute can refer generally to any plucked string instrument with a neck and a deep round back, or more specifically to an instrument from the family of European lutes....
(al-luth) that elsewhere evolved into the modern guitar. It is likely a descendant of one of the many folk guitars that have traditionally been
played in Portugal. The viola braguesa and viola amarantina, for instance, are two types of ten-string guitars from the north of Portugal, which are closely related to the viola caipira.
Some have claimed the viola caipira to be the national instrument of Brazil , but the tambourine-like pandeiro
Pandeiro
The pandeiro is a type of hand frame drum.There are two important distinctions between a pandeiro and the common tambourine. The tension of the head on the pandeiro can be tuned, allowing the player a choice of high and low notes...
has a stronger claim to being this . The Brazilian Embassy in Washington lists a national flower among the official symbols of Brazil, but no national musical instrument . What is undisputed is that the viola caipira was introduced in São Paulo
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
before the violão, and is the basis for the música caipira, or São Paulo´s folk music, as Inezita Barroso
Inezita Barroso
Ignez Magdalena Aranha de Lima is a Brazilian folk singer and TV host who has also done some acting...
states.
A large number of tunings are used; open tunings are common.
Violas are present in nearly all Brazilian music forms, anywhere in the country (although it is declining in some places). It most often associated with Caipira Music (Brazilian country music), with some forms of North-Eastern music and with folkloric music. It was once used to play urban music, like choro
Choro
Choro , traditionally called chorinho , is a Brazilian popular music instrumental style. Its origins are in 19th century Rio de Janeiro. In spite of the name, the style often has a fast and happy rhythm, characterized by virtuosity, improvisation, subtile modulations and full of syncopation and...
, samba
Samba
Samba is a Brazilian dance and musical genre originating in Bahia and with its roots in Brazil and Africa via the West African slave trade and African religious traditions. It is recognized around the world as a symbol of Brazil and the Brazilian Carnival...
and Maxixe
Maxixe (dance)
The maxixe , occasionally known as the Brazilian tango, is a dance, with its accompanying music , that originated in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro in 1868, at about the same time as the tango was developing in neighbouring Argentina and Uruguay...
, but has been replaced by the acoustic guitar.
The greatest virtuosos of Brazilian viola are Zé Côco do Riachão (composer from Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais is one of the 26 states of Brazil, of which it is the second most populous, the third richest, and the fourth largest in area. Minas Gerais is the Brazilian state with the largest number of Presidents of Brazil, the current one, Dilma Rousseff, being one of them. The capital is the...
) , Toninho Ramos (composer from Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais
Minas Gerais is one of the 26 states of Brazil, of which it is the second most populous, the third richest, and the fourth largest in area. Minas Gerais is the Brazilian state with the largest number of Presidents of Brazil, the current one, Dilma Rousseff, being one of them. The capital is the...
live in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
) and Almir Sater (successful singer-songwriter from Mato Grosso do Sul
Mato Grosso do Sul
Mato Grosso do Sul is one of the states of Brazil.Neighboring Brazilian states are Mato Grosso, Goiás, Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Paraná. It also borders the countries of Paraguay and Bolivia to the west. The economy of the state is largely based on agriculture and cattle-raising...
).
A National Association of Viola Players (Associação Nacional dos Violeiros) has been founded in 2004 and the Ministry of Culture has declared the preservation of the Viola tradition as of national interest.
Notable performers
- Almir Sater
- Braz da ViolaBraz da ViolaBraz da Viola is a Brazilian multi-instrumentalist musician, luthier, conductor and teacher. He runs workshops of viola caipira in several cities in Brazil. He played with several guitar players in Brazil, such as Roberto Corrêa, Paulo Freire, Renato Andrade, Pereira da Viola, Ivan Vilela and dual...
- Chico Lobo
- Helena MeirelesHelena MeirelesHelena Meireles was a Brazilian guitar player and composer.Born in Mato Grosso do Sul she was one of the most important composers of the folk musical style of this region...
- Heraldo do Monte
- Inezita BarrosoInezita BarrosoIgnez Magdalena Aranha de Lima is a Brazilian folk singer and TV host who has also done some acting...
- Ivan VilelaIvan VilelaIvan Vilela is a Brazilian composer, arranger, research, teacher and viola caipira player. Ivan Vilela is teacher of the School of Arts and Communication, University of São Paulo....
- Mazinho Quevedo
- Nestor da Viola
- Ramon Thiesen
- Renato Andrade
- Luan Soares
- Renato Teixeira
- Roberto Corrêa
- Teddy Vieira
- Tião CarreiroTião Carreiro & PardinhoBorn in a farm in the outskirts of Araçatuba city, in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, Tião Carreiro started to lear how to play the acoustic guitar at a very young age....
(artistic name of José Dias Nunes) - Toninho Ramos
- Zé Mulato
See also
- Viola toeiraViola ToeiraThe Viola Toeira is a stringed musical instrument from Portugal. It has 12 strings in 5 courses. The strings are made of steel. It is tuned A3 A3 A2, D3 D3 D2, G3 G2, B3 B3, E3 E3....
- Viola de cochoViola de cochoThe viola de cocho is a singular plucked string instrument from Brazil. It is typical from the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul and it was record as an untangible national patrimony by Iphan - the brazilian institution which is responsible for the preservation of the national cultural...
- Braz da ViolaBraz da ViolaBraz da Viola is a Brazilian multi-instrumentalist musician, luthier, conductor and teacher. He runs workshops of viola caipira in several cities in Brazil. He played with several guitar players in Brazil, such as Roberto Corrêa, Paulo Freire, Renato Andrade, Pereira da Viola, Ivan Vilela and dual...
- Ivan VilelaIvan VilelaIvan Vilela is a Brazilian composer, arranger, research, teacher and viola caipira player. Ivan Vilela is teacher of the School of Arts and Communication, University of São Paulo....
- Roberto Corrêa
External links
- Boa Música Brasileira in Portuguese
- Brazilian Musician Viola Player in Portuguese
- Junior da Violla Playing Song "Luzeiro" From Almir Sater (YouTube Video)
- Brazilian Rock Band Charme Chulo Playing "Polaca Azeda" Using Brazilian Viola (YouTube Music Video)