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Contact me today at mail@sambabeats.com.br to discuss availability, event details, and how we can create an unforgettable musical journey for your community.
Calling All European Sambistas, Musicians and Percussionists!
Bring the Authentic Sound of Brazil to Your City – Host a Brazilian Percussion Workshop Tour in 2025!
From April 23th to June 8th, 2026, I’m embarking on a highly anticipated European tour, offering a unique opportunity to experience the heartbeat of Brazilian percussion. These workshops don’t just teach rhythms – they immerse participants in the rich history and vibrant culture behind the beats, making them perfect for universities, cultural centers, music schools, or passionate percussion groups looking for something truly special.
Choose the Perfect Workshop for Your Event
1. Traditional Samba from Rio de Janeiro
This workshop is a deep dive into Rio’s legendary samba, straight from the baterias that fuel the world’s greatest party. You’ll explore:
– Signature grooves & techniques – Master the core rhythms and technique of surdo, caixa, repique, chocalho, agogô and tamborim – including proper tuning methods for authentic sound.
– The sound of the bateria – Learn how each instrument weaves together to create Rio’s groovy sound.
– Baterias secrets – Play iconic breaks (bossas) and arrangements straight from the Carnival 2026!
– Fresh insights from Carnival 2026 – Fresh insights from Brazil’s most innovative sambistas.
The grand finale? Your group will play a full Carnival bateria arrangement—putting all the elements together just like the top escolas de samba!
Perfect for drummers, dancers, and music lovers who want to feel the pulse of Rio — from fundamentals of samba to today’s innovations.
2. Contemporary Batucada
Where tradition meets innovation. Push boundaries with a fusion of Brazilian roots and global rhythms. This workshop is for those ready to experiment:
– Techniques for a range of Brazilian instruments – Professional playing techniques for Brazil’s classic percussion instruments.
– Beyond samba – Dive into the rich rhythms of Brazilian tradition with maracatu, côco, maculelê, jongo and other vibrant grooves.
– Modern hybrid rhythms – Blend Brazilian percussion with funk, pop, and shuffle influences.
– Arrangement lab – Create dynamic transitions and surprises for today’s audiences.
– Deep cultural connection – Understand the origins and cultural context of each rhythm.
By the end? You’ll perform a complete contemporary batucada arrangement, combining traditional and modern elements into one explosive performance.
Ideal for musicians who want to expand their vocabulary, repertoire and knowledge about Brazilian percussion.
3. Roda de samba (Pagode)
For groups looking to develop or refine their skills on traditional Roda de Samba instruments—including pandeiro, tantan, repique de mão, surdo, reco-reco, and cuíca.
– Technique for Roda de Samba instruments – Pandeiro, tantan, repique de mão, surdo, reco-reco, cuíca—learn their unique technique.
– Groove like a local – Build foundational patterns and spicy variations for each instrument.
– The art of the roda – Discover how call-and-response, breaks, and improvisation fuel the party.
– Play together – By the end, your group will perform a full pagode arrangement—just like the botecos of Rio!
Whether you’re a seasoned percussionist or a beginner, these sessions are designed to enrich your musical journey with a deep dive into Brazil’s diverse percussion styles.
Ready to Elevate Your Event?
Hosting one of these workshops offers more than just music – it’s a cultural experience that will leave participants inspired and connected to the powerful traditions of Brazilian percussion. If you’re interested in bringing this incredible experience to your city, reach out now to secure your spot in the tour.
Contact me today at mail@sambabeats.com.br to discuss availability, event details, and how we can create an unforgettable musical journey for your community.
Let’s bring the rhythms of Brazil to life in Europe!
This tour is proudly sponsored by Contemporânea Percussion Instruments and supported by Kalango.
Gabriel Lopes has been a prominent figure in Brazilian music and Rio’s Carnival culture since the early 2000s. Combining his roles as a seasoned musician, educator, and researcher, Gabriel has dedicated his career to preserving, teaching, and celebrating the rich traditions of samba school baterias.
Gabriel’s deep expertise as an educator is exemplified by his work with prestigious music institutions such as the Royal College of Music and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where he led workshops in 2019, 2023, and 2024. In 2023, he brought his unique approach to the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, and in 2024, he conducted workshops at Trinity School in Croydon.
His ability to engage and inspire students, coupled with his extensive experience in high-profile educational settings, underscores his standing as a respected authority in Brazilian percussion.
As a researcher and author, Gabriel has made significant contributions to the understanding of samba and samba school baterias. His published works include Mestre Dudu – As Paradinhas da Não Existe Mais Quente, As Bossas do Mestre Maurão, and Fundamentals of a Samba School Bateria.
These bilingual books not only document the evolution of samba rhythms but also provide practical tools for musicians worldwide, featuring audio examples and musical notation for paradinhas and bossas. Through these publications, Gabriel preserves the legacy of samba school drumming while making it accessible to a global audience.
As a performer, Gabriel has toured extensively with the renowned percussion group Monobloco, captivating audiences across Brazil, the USA, Europe, and Japan. His dynamic performances and integral contributions to Monobloco’s sound have solidified his reputation as a leading figure in the global samba scene. With Monobloco, he recorded two albums and two DVDs, contributing to the group’s dynamic legacy.
Gabriel also played in Rocinha’s bateria for over a decade and has been a proud member of Vila Isabel’s bateria since 2019, specializing in the repique drum. As a composer, he achieved a career milestone by entering his samba composition into Mangueira’s competition in 2016.
From 2005 to 2019, Gabriel served as the mestre de bateria for Volta Alice, a carnival group (bloco) that became a cornerstone of Rio Carnival, attracting tens of thousands of revelers.
He has also taught at Monobloco’s workshops, preparing students for parades in Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, and São Paulo. His teaching extends internationally, with workshops held across the UK, Europe, the USA, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, both in-person and online.
Through his brand, Samba Beats, Gabriel continues to share his passion for samba school baterias. His website, YouTube channel, and social media platforms provide a wealth of educational content, including tutorials, historical insights, and detailed analyses of samba rhythms. His dedication to teaching and research reflects his mission to preserve and celebrate the cultural and musical heritage of Brazil.
Gabriel Lopes offers an unparalleled blend of practical expertise, academic research, and teaching excellence. His work not only connects audiences to the vibrant world of samba but also inspires the next generation of percussionists worldwide.
Suggestions? Complaints? Need any help? Want to know about percussion classes? Arrangements for you group? Send us a message!