SURDO

The Heartbeat

There are typically three or more Surdo ("SUR - Doh") parts, often played by multiple people; however, in some cases, one player with two mallets can perform on three of the large drums. The high and low drums often alternate, with one striking on Beat 1 and the other on Beat 2. In Rio de Janeiro, it's "high, low", while in Bahia, it's often "low, high". The Corte ("COR - chee", meaning "cut") plays on the offbeats for contrast. The Corte is typically tuned between the Primero (low) and Segundo (high) Surdos, though sometimes a higher-tuned drum is used for synchopated beats.

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Baby Woke Up!