[Listening extract audio not available in printed... | Music 0410 | Paper 1 Mock 01 | Listening

Question 1 Report

[Listening extract audio not available in printed QP]

You hear music featuring the rhythmic patterns of a samba.

How would you identify this as a samba? Give two features. [2]

Answer

Answer Details

Two features that identify the music as a samba:

Syncopated rhythmic patterns with accents on off-beats. [1] The samba is defined by its complex syncopation, where notes fall between the main beats rather than on them. This creates the infectious, swinging groove characteristic of Brazilian samba music.
Use of percussion instruments such as the surdo, tamborim, and shaker to create a driving, layered rhythm. [1] Samba employs a large percussion section (bateria) where each instrument plays an interlocking rhythmic pattern. The surdo (a large bass drum) provides the fundamental pulse, the tamborim adds sharp, high-pitched syncopated patterns, and shakers (such as the ganza or chocalho) fill in continuous rhythmic textures. These layers combine to produce the dense, propulsive rhythmic fabric that defines the samba.