Traditional Tocata

The Concertina, part of the aerophone group, replaced the traditional and popular harmonica. It differs from the accordion in that it produces different sounds when opening and closing. Moreover, the accordion appeared at a later stage and never became part of the popular and traditional tocata.

Its harmonious and melodic character is ideal for giving any music the festive and joyful tone that so well expresses the sentiment and culture of Minho.

The Cavaquinho is a small string instrument characterized by a harmonious timbre and rhythm. It can be played solo as a harmonic instrument to accompany singing, but it usually forms part of a typically festive ensemble. It is also known as “machinho” and, despite having different characteristics, is used throughout the country. There are two types of cavaquinho: the Minho type and the Lisbon type.

A deeply popular instrument used strictly for festivities, the cavaquinho is particularly interesting when played in the “rasgado” or “varejado” style, which is the most traditional. It is one of the most popular instruments in the Vila Verde tocata, although it was brought by people from northern Spain, the “Biscaínhos.”

The Viola Braguesa, also known as Ramaldeira, belongs to the string instrument group and was also brought by the Biscaínhos to the Vila Verde tocata. The viola is widely used in the Baixo Minho region, where it takes the name and form of braguesa, and is particularly interesting when played in traditional styles: the “rasgado” and “varejado” techniques.

The viola is the basic accompaniment instrument for the “rusgas” and “chulas” of the region, supporting songs, musical duels, and dances of a profane, playful, light, and extroverted nature. It can be said to be the quintessential accompaniment instrument of Minho popular music in general, and Vila Verde music in particular.

O Violão pertence ao grupo das cordas e é um dos instrumentos mais habituais na tocata portuguesa em geral. Terá sido introduzido no nosso país no séc. XIX. Devido ao facto de a viola praticamente ter desaparecido nas outras regiões do país, o violão passou a ser conhecido apenas por viola. Mas, no Noroeste português, a viola continua a ser um instrumento primordial, pelo que o violão conserva ainda o seu nome.

Na tocata tradicional do Baixo Minho, e de Vila Verde em particular, o violão é tocado como instrumento de acompanhamento na forma tradicional de pontiado. Pode mesmo dizer-se que é o mais importante instrumento de acompanhamento, indissociável das danças e cantares típicos vilaverdenses e do Minho em geral.

Belonging to the aerophone group, this type of flute initially served as an individual, rural, and peasant instrument, used by herders to ward off loneliness. Gradually, it was incorporated into the traditional tocata as both an accompanying and solo instrument. Today, it is indispensable in Vila Verde musical groups, at festivals and pilgrimages; it is also used in ceremonial events, where it serves as the primary melodic instrument.

This curious instrument belongs to the group of friction idiophones and is believed to have been brought from Brazil, although it is originally from Africa. It consists of a toothed stick, about 70 cm long on average, played by friction with another stick (usually a split cane), but it can take various shapes and decorations. They are often carved to represent human figures, starting from either a flat wooden board or the root of a tree.

In the tocata, the Reque-Reque sets the rhythm. In fact, its design is so rudimentary that it is assumed to have been created in the region purely as a noise-making instrument, although a possible African origin is not entirely unlikely.

The Ferrinhos are also used to mark the rhythm and accompany the dance. It is a percussive or friction instrument, consisting of an iron triangle, open at one of the angles and suspended by a ribbon. The Ferrinhos are played using another small iron piece, called a striker.

It is said that they may have appeared around the 15th century, of general European origin and use, and are employed throughout the country.

The Bombo belongs to the membranophone group. Although its playing may seem easy, the sound it produces is very strong, so a poorly played hit can ruin the harmony of the group and even disrupt the dance. Its purpose, as can easily be inferred, is to mark the rhythm and tempo of the music.

Bombos are sometimes played in large percussion groups during parades and festive processions throughout northern Portugal. Due to their rhythmic power and strong sound, bombo groups have a very strong impact on their audience.