Book excerpt: This comprehensive book presents a wealth of information about the Brazilian frame drum known to musicians as the pandeiro. Pandeiro Basics presents so much more than a method or set of playing techniques; herein, you will find a historical introduction to numerous Brazilian musical styles, rhythm patterns with contextual references typically performed on the pandeiro, and an introduction to principal pioneer performers on the instrument. These patterns are represented in standard percussion notation with note values represented on a single line. In addition, you will learn the secret to playing the pandeiro with constant 16th note rotation in one hand while playing the patterns with your other. Technique will include how to get varying kinds of sounds out of the drumhead, as well as muting and technical-style differences. The author provides dozens of listening suggestions for readers. Consulting these recordings will familiarize you with some great choro and samba soloists and groups that use the pandeiro, guaranteeing stylistic authenticity in your own renditions as you learn pandeiro parts for choro, samba, maxixe, baião, côco, valsa, frevo, afoxé, funk rhythms, and more. The book culminates in a pandeiro duet followed by a pandeiro-specific FAQ list. For example, “How do you get a roll out of the pandeiro?” The answer is in here. The author—herself an outstanding percussionist, recording artist and player of the 10-inch choro model—offers extensive tips on finding, selecting, holding, tuning, practicing, developing tone, amplifying, avoiding injury, and maintaining this most versatile of hand percussion instruments, the pandeiro! Great for any beginner or advanced player!