improvisation is a trademark of choro, with the basic instruments of the musical style being the mandolin, flute, clarinet, guitar, pandeiro (something like a mix between a hand drum and a tambourine) and cavaquinho (similar to a ukulele) - an ensemble is called a regional and a musician, composer or band member is called a chorăo (or weeper).

some of the most famous exponents from the 20th century were pixinguinha and joăo pernambuco, though it enjoys continuing popularity in bars and bohemian enclaves all over rio.