also referred to as chorinho, choro is a purely instrumental and very sophisticated style of music - originally played by a trio of flute, guitar and cavaquinho (a small acoustic guitar), now it also includes the mandolin, acoustic guitar, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and a pandeiro for light percussion.

the first to play this genre were workers from rio de janeiro, towards the end of the nineteenth century - these musicians came from many walks of life, but were mostly public servants such as custom officers, mailmen, and road and railway workers.