Boom boom boom! The vibrations and the beat come out and you are able to feel it run through your blood. You can’t help but dance. Samba drums get you to move your butt in ways you never thought possible.

Samba first originated in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and has become very popular. The music includes various types of drums that bring a certain spice to the beautiful dance and music.

The different drums include the “caixa de guerra”, the “repinique” and the “timba”. All of these different beats together produce a sound that is irresistible when it comes to dancing.

Not only are there drums,but there are whistles used to get the attention of the dancers and the people who are listening to samba that is being played. The whistles tell where most of the beat is coming from in a song by coordinating to the same beat as a stronger drum sound. The person whistling can also perform somewhat of a solo to lead the drummers into the music.

When the high blow of the whistle and the loud thud of the drum are played together they produce an exceptional sound that unconsciously brings people to close their eyes, move their shoulders and shake their butts.

Another common instrument samba musicians use is the “cuica” which is an instrument that produces a sound closely resembling sneakers on a basketball court.

Although that description may not sound too appealing, when all these instruments come together they bring out the spirit and culture of beautiful Brazil and yet again make you shake you butt.

Vanessa Johnson can be reached at [email protected]