Chocalho or rocar

The chocalho is an old instrument, already in use in the middle ages. It was applied to lead and protect the cattle. Nowadays it is used on popular Brazilian festivities, such as carnival. Since about 1950 it is used in music groups. It has been made of a wooden or metal chassis to which jingles (round metal, curved, plates) have been attached. The more jingles, all the more volume is produced. The instrument is played principally during the refrain of a samba. In other passages it stays mainly untouched. The chocalho supports the caixa to give the samba its swinging groove. The chassis is clamped with both hands and successively moved forwards and backwards on the rhythm of the music.