Partido alto
Encyclopedia
Partido Alto refers to a type of samba
with a number of particularities. In the world of samba subgenres and in samba reunions, partido alto songs (informally called partidos) can represent a time for improvisation and (humorous or not) disputes, besides a stronger singalong opportunity for the participants.
Partido Alto is also the name of a particular rhythm that is derived from the above mentioned style of samba (especially in a jazz context). The rhythm is often played in samba, and is also the basis for the Partido Alto groove, in which more or all of the instruments accent this rhythm.
Partido Alto's harmony
is traditionally in a major key
, which is often understood as a more joyous type of harmony, matching the genre's somewhat euphoric nature. Percussivelly, it presents a peculiar pandeiro
beat, with strong use of a violent, dry snap created by hitting the center of the head with the palm of the hand; thus nylon-skinned pandeiros are more common here than in others genres, although Partido Alto uses organic-skins just as much. The name of the genre can, among other meanings, be understood as a reference to this percussive property; one of the possible literal translations would be "broken high", which could be thought of as "highly broken".
img:Partido_Alto.png
was played, a type of music very rooted in Africa, accompanied by drums called candongueiros, angumativas and caxambus. It has been present in samba from the beginning; there are songs which are considered partidos dated from the 1930s. There's a traditional jongo
nucleus around the samba school
Império Serrano in Rio de Janeiro, which is active to this day. Thus it is no wonder that a very important artist in the genre, Aniceto do Império, came from there. He and Nilton Campolino released very late in their career, in 1977, their first record, when Aniceto counted 65 years. Other precursors of the music include Candeia and the legendary Geraldo Babão from the samba-schools Portela and Salgueiro.
Further famous partido alto musicians include Clementina de Jesus
, Jovelina Pérola Negra, Xangô da Mangueira and Bezerra da Silva
; these can be thought of as the genre's roots. More recent musicians of the such as Grupo Fundo de Quintal
, Zeca Pagodinho
, Almir Guineto
, Trio Calafrio and Arlindo Cruz
are, among other things, exponents of the genre, although they don't restrain themselves to it.
Examples of prominent songs which can classified as partido alto are the famous "Não Vem (Assim Não Dá)", from the classic record "Quatro Grandes do Samba", where Candeia, Elton Medeiros, Nelson Cavaquinho
and Guilherme de Brito
share the verses, and "Perdoa", by Paulinho da Viola
, where he and Elton Medeiros share the verses.
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...
with a number of particularities. In the world of samba subgenres and in samba reunions, partido alto songs (informally called partidos) can represent a time for improvisation and (humorous or not) disputes, besides a stronger singalong opportunity for the participants.
Partido Alto is also the name of a particular rhythm that is derived from the above mentioned style of samba (especially in a jazz context). The rhythm is often played in samba, and is also the basis for the Partido Alto groove, in which more or all of the instruments accent this rhythm.
Characteristics
Regarding structure, Partido Alto differentiates itself from common samba in that it is usually divided in two main parts. One is the usually static refrain (refrão), which is sang by a choral, which often means everyone present in a samba performance. The other part is called the verses and is often soloed by one or more participants. There can frequently be two or more versers (versadores), and that usually means that they will be competing in some way, be it humorous or not.Partido Alto's harmony
Harmony
In music, harmony is the use of simultaneous pitches , or chords. The study of harmony involves chords and their construction and chord progressions and the principles of connection that govern them. Harmony is often said to refer to the "vertical" aspect of music, as distinguished from melodic...
is traditionally in a major key
Key (music)
In music theory, the term key is used in many different and sometimes contradictory ways. A common use is to speak of music as being "in" a specific key, such as in the key of C major or in the key of F-sharp. Sometimes the terms "major" or "minor" are appended, as in the key of A minor or in the...
, which is often understood as a more joyous type of harmony, matching the genre's somewhat euphoric nature. Percussivelly, it presents a peculiar 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...
beat, with strong use of a violent, dry snap created by hitting the center of the head with the palm of the hand; thus nylon-skinned pandeiros are more common here than in others genres, although Partido Alto uses organic-skins just as much. The name of the genre can, among other meanings, be understood as a reference to this percussive property; one of the possible literal translations would be "broken high", which could be thought of as "highly broken".
img:Partido_Alto.png
History
Partido Alto has its origins in the religious parties in rural communities where jongoJongo
Jongo, also known as caxambu or tambu, is a dance and musical genre of black communities from southeast Brazil.Jongo is an essentially rural cultural manifestation directly associated with the African culture in Brazil...
was played, a type of music very rooted in Africa, accompanied by drums called candongueiros, angumativas and caxambus. It has been present in samba from the beginning; there are songs which are considered partidos dated from the 1930s. There's a traditional jongo
Jongo
Jongo, also known as caxambu or tambu, is a dance and musical genre of black communities from southeast Brazil.Jongo is an essentially rural cultural manifestation directly associated with the African culture in Brazil...
nucleus around the samba school
Samba school
A samba school is a club or dancing school. They practice and often perform in huge square-compounds devoted to practicing and exhibiting samba, an African-Brazilian dance. The schools are traditionally associated with a particular neighborhood, often shanty towns...
Império Serrano in Rio de Janeiro, which is active to this day. Thus it is no wonder that a very important artist in the genre, Aniceto do Império, came from there. He and Nilton Campolino released very late in their career, in 1977, their first record, when Aniceto counted 65 years. Other precursors of the music include Candeia and the legendary Geraldo Babão from the samba-schools Portela and Salgueiro.
Further famous partido alto musicians include Clementina de Jesus
Clementina de Jesus
Clementina de Jesus was born on February 7, 1901, in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She worked as a maid for more than 20 years until she was discovered in 1963 by the composer Hermínio Bello de Carvalho. She is considered queen of the Samba style Partido alto and represents the musical...
, Jovelina Pérola Negra, Xangô da Mangueira and Bezerra da Silva
Bezerra da Silva
José Bezerra da Silva was a Brazilian samba musician of the partido alto style.-Biography:...
; these can be thought of as the genre's roots. More recent musicians of the such as Grupo Fundo de Quintal
Grupo Fundo de Quintal
Grupo Fundo de Quintal or simply Fundo de Quintal is the name of an influential Samba band and movement which appeared in Rio de Janeiro at the end of the 1970s...
, Zeca Pagodinho
Zeca Pagodinho
Zeca Pagodinho is a Brazilian singer/songwriter working in the genres of samba and pagode.-Biography:...
, Almir Guineto
Almir Guineto
Almir Guineto is a Brazilian sambista, singer/songwriter and instrumentalist, working in the genres of samba and pagode.-Biography:...
, Trio Calafrio and Arlindo Cruz
Arlindo Cruz
Arlindo Cruz is a Brazilian musician, composer and singer, working in the genre of samba and pagode...
are, among other things, exponents of the genre, although they don't restrain themselves to it.
Examples of prominent songs which can classified as partido alto are the famous "Não Vem (Assim Não Dá)", from the classic record "Quatro Grandes do Samba", where Candeia, Elton Medeiros, Nelson Cavaquinho
Nelson Cavaquinho
Nelson Cavaquinho was one of the most important singer/composers of samba. He is usually seen as a representative of the tragic aspects of samba thematics, with many songs about death and hopelessness...
and Guilherme de Brito
Guilherme de Brito
Guilherme de Brito Bollhorst , known as Guilherme de Brito, was an important Brazilian sambista, singer, songwriter, and painter.-Biography:...
share the verses, and "Perdoa", by Paulinho da Viola
Paulinho da Viola
Paulinho da Viola is a Brazilian sambista, singer/songwriter, guitar, cavaquinho and mandolin player, known for his sophisticated harmonies and soft, gentle singing voice.-Biography:...
, where he and Elton Medeiros share the verses.