What is a berimbau toque?
A toque (also called a toque de berimbau or berimbau rhythm) is a repeating pattern of tones on the berimbau. The three core tones are open (◯ dom), buzz (⊗ chi), and closed (⬤ dim); some Regional toques add extra tones such as domz. Each toque tells the roda how to play: fast and attacking, slow and close, or — for Cavalaria — a warning rather than a game.
Capoeira Regional vs Angola toques
Capoeira Regional toques come from Mestre Bimba’s academy. São Bento Grande de Regional is the staple fast game; Banguela slows the roda; Iúna, Amazonas, and Santa Maria de Regional belong to that repertoire. Capoeira Angola toques such as Toque de Angola, São Bento Pequeno, São Bento Grande de Angola, and Santa Maria de Angola shape a closer, often slower or more cunning game. Cavalaria is a traditional warning toque, kept as history. Samba de Roda comes from the Sambas de Roda of Bahia — a viola variation and post-roda celebration. Miudinho is Mestre Suassuna’s close, fast toque for a low circular game, not one of Bimba’s Regional toques. Schools disagree on exact patterns.
Berimbau tones: ◯ dom, ⊗ chi, ⬤ dim
On Toque Play the core tones are written as ◯ (dom, stone off the string), ⊗ (chi, light buzz on the string), and ⬤ (dim, stone firmly on the string). Iúna also uses domz, a light buzzing open. Warm up isolated tones in the Sandbox, then play the full toque on a real berimbau with microphone scoring in the browser.
How to practice berimbau toques on a real instrument
Allow the microphone, calibrate your berimbau, and follow the scrolling note track. The app scores pitch in cents against your calibration and whether you hit on time. Audio never leaves the browser — only hit/miss results are saved. Start with isolated tones or São Bento Grande de Regional, then unlock the other toques.