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Joia instruments

REPINIQUE: This is the lead instrument that calls the breaks, sets the tempo, and gives direction to the ensemble. It is also used as a soloing instrument.  It is 12 inches in diameter and 12 inches deep. It is usually made of metal, although some are made from wood.

TAMBORIM: A small 6''inch diameter drum. Although small, this drum produces a powerful, high-pitched sound. The polyrhythmic patterns created on these drums are what drive the upper end of our compositions.

AGO-GO BELLS: This instrument consists of two attached bells; one pitched slightly higher than the other. The Ago-go bells are what give us our melody. We use pitched Pete Engelhardt bells.

COWBELL: We use two different size cowbells in our compositions; a large and a small bell. The polyrhythmic feel that is created when they are played together helps to drive the rhythm in African and Cuban compositions.

SURDO: This is a large bass drum that powerfully and precisely marks the tempo for the band. The Surdos come in three sizes: Large (resposta), medium (marcador), and small (cortador). In our band, we generally use one large and one small Surdo that solos off of each other.

GANZA OR SHAKER: Though this instrument does not receive the respect it deserves, the ganza is one of the most distinctive and necessary instruments in world percussion. It is the sound that binds a world-beat percussion piece. It is a tube-shaped metal instrument that is filled with pellets. We use single-beam and triple-beam ganzas in our compositions.

DJEMBE: (pronounced as Jim-Bay) is a rope-tuned skin-covered goblet drum played with bare hands, originally from West Africa. According to the Bambara people in Mali, the name of the djembe comes from the saying "Anke djé, anke bé" which translates to "everyone gathers together in peace" and defines the drum's purpose.

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