The Role of Language and Music
Discipline has a heavy hand to play when it comes to capoeira, as with any martial art. The way that capoeira differs in this sense is due to the connection with music and a traditional language. When I began to regularly attend practice at Purdue Capoeira, half of the practice on Thursdays was spent on the practice of music alone (in fact, during one practice, the whole night was on music). For someone genuinely interested in the art form, it cannot be overlooked. The interconnectedness that capoeira has with music is sometimes overwhelming, however it's role in the art is vital.
A Rich Analysis
Though the data provided up until this point has been certainly analyzed a small bit already, the purpose now is to piece the information together and form a concrete depiction of what capoeira actually looks like. Though I do not have any videos of Purdue Capoeira, I will try my best to provide videos of similar rodas and practices, as to give you, the reader, an idea as to what a typical practice looks like.
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Analysis of "Street Roda"
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Musicality and The Importance of Lyrics
Though the practice of capoeira is very interested in the types of moves one can perform, and essentially the fluidity one can create through these moves, music has an influence far greater. The music played during a roda influences the way the game is played, whether it be a particular speed or a certain style of play. Many of the traditional songs are meant to tell stories of early capoeira heroes and mestres, while others are meant to convey messages to the capoeristas concerning their technique.
Lyrical Understanding of "La Lae Lae La"
The chorus, which is essentially uses of articles over and over, is essentially just a means of setting a rhythm. The true meaning of the song comes in after a few lines of chorus.
The begins by saying: Berimbau chamou pro jogo Berimbau called to the game (recall that the berimbau is the main instrument of capoeira, and that the mestre starts the game by playing the berimbau) Pandeiro me respondeu Pandeiro answered me (the pandiero is a tambourine, which plays second behind the berimbau; both of which are being personified) O Atabaque já entrou The Atabaque already started (the atabaque, or drum, is already playing with the other instruments- the bateria has commenced) Mestre Bimba apareceu Master Bimba appeared (mestre Bimba, father of capoeira regional, appears before the bateria) La Lae Lae La La Lae Lae La (chorus) Full lyrics can be found through the button below the video!
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