SAMBA :

Afro Brazilian popular song/dance form.

Original sambas were participatory, accompanied by improvised songs and percussion.
The style used syncopated rhythms, call and response vocals, open ended forms and
diatonic melodies.
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There are TWO main types : CARNIVAL SAMBA ( characterized by heavy

percussion, carnival themes, and the YEAR ROUND SAMBA (lighter percussion,
plucked string accompaniement , witty lyrics.)

MUSICAL CHARACTERISTICS :
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2/4 time with emphasis on 2nd beat

Other percussion plays interlocking syncopated lines
Songs are Strophic ( verse chorus etc..)
Harmony is limited to triads and seventh chords.

BOSSA NOVA :
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Created in Brazil in the late 1950s during a period of political change and economic
growth
Often described as the music of the Brazilian middle and upper classes.
Originated in the wealthy neighborhoods along the beach areas of Rio de Janeiro.
Including Copacabana and Ipanema ( hence the famous song )
Bossa Nova compositions spoke of love, the beach and beautiful women.

MUSICAL CHARACTERISTICS :
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based on the Samba but generally slower and lighter in texture.

Use of complex jazz inspired chords such as Maj 7ths and chords with a flattened
5th and 7th.
Main feature is nylon string guitar paying variations of the samba pattern.
Became a style that jazz musicians used for their own tunes as well as popular
bossa novas.
Vocals are usually very soft allowing for more emphasis on the musical elements
Improvisation a featu