although they are traditionally associated with capoeira, the berimbau - being symbolic of the unique afro-brazilian tradition - has come to be used in much of mpb (brazilian pop music) and percussion ensembles the world over.

the cavaquinho and the samba banjo are the yin and yang of the simplest species of guitar in the carioca musical stable. the cavaquinho in brazil is a member of the eukelele family, differentiated by its elevated neck and round sound hole. its lineage is portuguese, and variations of the four-stringed instrument abound in the lusophone diaspora.

cariocas hear the cavaco primarily in samba, where it is played with a pick in conversation with the rhythm section.