Brazilian music means not only exciting rhythms, but also a great way to learn Portuguese. Brazilian musical culture is known for its diversity and stylistic richness. The lyrics are excellent supplementary sources for those who want to expand their vocabulary and improve their understanding of the Portuguese language.
Source: Wikipedia
Brazilian music draws its origins from African, European and Native American musical traditions, which converged in Brazil through the European colonization of the country and the African slave trade. The first genres of Brazilian music emerged in the 16th century and were associated with the Catholic Church. Today, Brazilian music includes such styles as samba, forro, marachas, Afro-Brazilian music and many others.
Samba is one of the most renowned genres of Brazilian music. It originated in Rio de Janeiro, blending elements of music, native for the African slaves, European rhythms and indigenous Brazilian music It is distinguished by its lively, danceable rhythms and vocabulary, that is often related to carnival, dance and Brazilian culture. In samba songs you can also hear many words and phrases from everyday life, related to such themes as love and social issues.
Bossa nova, a light and melodious genre of Brazilian music that gained popularity in the 1950s, is characterized by a soft and romantic sound including melodic guitar chords. Artists like Joao Donato and Astrud Gilberto made this genre popular worldwide. The lyrics of bossa nova songs often revolve around nature, beaches and romance, so you can hear many words and phrases related to love and relationships.
Forró,a Brazilian dance and a musical genre,emerged in northeastern Brazil in the early 20th century. This dance combined African and European influences, and its musical style includes elements of salsa, blues and jazz. Forró is often danced in the streets and at festivals:its energetic and cheerful atmosphere earned him popularity all over the world . The vocabulary used in forro songs is often related to rural life, traditions and culture of northeastern Brazil.
Funk (funk from Rio) is a Brazilian music genre, whose roots lie in American hip-hop and funk. The lyrics of the funk songs often vocabulary related to street culture, drugs and violence. Funk is one of the most popular genres in Brazil, especially in poor urban areas.
Music servesnot only as a form of entertainment, but also as a efficient tool for language learning. Listening to music in the target language can significantly improve students’ comprehension and pronunciation skills. This is especially true for Portuguese , which is known for its melodious qualities of the. Some Portuguese textbooks have already included song lyrics into their lessons.