AIRS 4th Annual Meeting: 2012

Title: How Singing is Learned by Brazilian Girls ages 5-11
Authors: Daniella Gramani (Federal University of Paraiba), Caroline Pacheco (Federal
University of Paraiba)

Abstract

Different manifestations of popular culture grant many possibilities for one to be involved with
Brazilian art forms. In order to understand singing development of children involved in the
Maracatu de Baque Virado, we interviewed 4 girls aged 5-11, who were members of different
groups situated within the Pina shantytown in Recife. The Nações (nations) de Maracatu de
Baque Virado are musical and artistic groups that are normally connected to terreiros de
candomble (Afro-Brazilian religion), especially in the city of Recife (circa 1.5 million
inhabitants). These cultural manifestations are both dramatic and musical: the dramatic part is
presented by the corte (court), and the batuque (musical ensemble) is responsible for the music.
The latter is performed through songs (canto das loas) accompanied by percussion instruments.
The master leads with the voice, and also directs the batuque. During the time of Carnaval,
there is a dispute between the nations, and each year, one of them is the winner. Nações de
Maracatu are normally composed by adults, yet some children may also participate as it
happened here. All four participating children took part in the corte or batuque, played
apercussion instrument called abê, and had a relative who is a member of the group. Interviews
took place in the children’s homes, where we also interviewed parents and relatives. Thirteen
sung renditions were recorded in both audio and video formats. Data are being analyzed with
attention to previous work on music learning in Brazilian popular culture (Prass, 1998; Arroyo,
1998; Queiroz, 2005; Braga, 2005; Náder, 2006; Abib, 2006; Gramani, 2009). A musicological
analysis is also being carried out, as a starting point to discuss how singing is learned and how
children develop musically in these contexts