Brasileirinho, which means small Brazilian in English is one of the most known songs in “Chorinho” or “Choro” style and was composed by Waldyr Azevedo in 1949. However, it took two years to be released. Waldyr was a master of the cavaquinho and one of the greatest names in Brazilian choro. He had the audacity to put his favorite instrument in the spotlight for the first time in a song. Until then, the cavaquinho was at most used merely as an accompanying instrument in songs.
Choro is a genre of Brazilian instrumental music that is characterized by its fast tempo and intricate melodies. It originated in the 19th century and is considered one of the first forms of popular Brazilian music and close to the samba style. Choro is typically played on a variety of instruments, including the flute, clarinet, saxophone, guitar, cavaquinho, mandolim and pandeiro (a type of Brazilian tambourine). The style is known for its improvisation and virtuosity, and it is often compared to jazz for its use of syncopated rhythms and soloing.
About the composer
Waldyr Azevedo was born in a poor family in 1923 in the city of Rio de Janeiro. As a child, Azevedo was passionated by music. He could save money to buy a transverse flute at the age of seven. In 1933, at the age of 10, he performed in public for the first time as a flutist, playing “Trem Blindado” by João de Barro. As a teenager, Azevedo met a group of friends who would get together on Saturdays to play music and, through their influence, he eventually switched from the flute to the mandolim. Shortly after, he switched from the mandolim to the cavaquinho, but eventually left it behind when the electric guitar gained popularity in Brazil.
During the 1950s, he had great success with compositions such as “Brasileirinho,” “Pedacinhos do Céu,” “Chiquita,” and “Vê Se Gostas,” and Waldyr’s compositions projected him internationally. His compositions were recorded in Japan, Germany, and the United States, where Percy Faith and his orchestra sold one million copies of a recording of “Delicado.” Waldir even participated in a program on the BBC in London, broadcast to 52 countries.
About the Song
Brasileirinho was first launched as instrumental music, but years later received lyrics. Ruy Pereira da Costa, a native of Pernambuco who was raised in Rio de Janeiro since childhood, developed the verses that have accompanied Waldyr Azevedo’s song since then.
The new version was recorded by great names in Brazilian music such as Ademilde Fonseca (at a very fast pace, almost incomprehensible) and Baby Consuelo (at a slower pace).
Tablature, Score and Chords
In the following video you have the arrangement for Mandolim played with guitar and pandeiro accompaniment. The song is in A major, at 2/4 and 100 bpm. You can play along with your mandolim. Also invite a friend or practice yourself playing the guitar chords.
Tip: Slow down the video by clicking in the YouTube gear, so you can practice at a more confortable speed. When you are more confident, go back to the original speed and play together.
Lyrics in Portuguese
O brasileiro quando é do choro
É entusiasmado quando cai no samba,
Não fica abafado e é um desacato
Quando chega no salão.
Não há quem possa resistir
Quando o chorinho brasileiro faz sentir,
Ainda mais de cavaquinho,
Com um pandeiro e um violão
Na marcação.
Brasileirinho chegou e a todos encantou,
Fez todo mundo dançar
A noite inteira no terreiro
Até o sol raiar.
E quando o baile terminou
A turma não se conformou:
Brasileirinho abafou!
Até o velho que já estava encostado
Neste dia se acabou!
Para falar a verdade, estava conversando
Com alguém de respeito
E ao ouvir o grande choro
Eu dei logo um jeito e deixei o camarada
Falando sozinho.
Gostei, pulei,
Dancei, pisei até me acabei
E nunca mais esquecerei o tal chorinho
Brasileirinho!
Lyrics Translation into English
The Brazilian when he is of choro
He is enthusiastic when he falls into samba,
He is not suffocated and it is a disgrace
When he arrives in the salon.
There is no one who can resist
When the Brazilian choro makes you feel,
Even more so with the cavaquinho,
With a pandeiro and a guitar
In the marking.
Brasileirinho arrived and enchanted everyone,
Made everyone dance
All night on the terrace
Until the sun rises.
And when the ball ended
The group was not satisfied:
Brasileirinho suffocated!
Even the old man who was already leaning
On this day he ended up!
To tell the truth, he was talking
With someone of respect
And upon hearing the great choro
I quickly did something and left the comrade
Talking alone.
I liked it, jumped,
Danced, stepped until I was finished
And I will never forget the chorinho
Brasileirinho!
