the precursor to modern-day samba enredos, marchinhas were written by some of the most prominent brazilian composers of that era for popular release, to be used with  by blocos marching in the streets - as opposed to the samba enredos, which are unique to individual samba schools marching in the parades.

stylistically, marchinhas are defined by being up-tempo samba, with equal influence from military marches and big band jazz, and simple, catchy melodies and occasionally devious lyrics - with interpretations released by the likes of carmen miranda and dalva de oliveira, marchinhas were carnival party staples for decades.