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Who are we, and what do we do?
We are a samba band based in Glossop. We play under the name Ruído Grande, but for administration purposes we were known as Glossopdale Community Samba.
We practice weekly playing samba and Afro-Brazilian rythms on a variety of brazilian style drums and percussion, and regularly perform at carnivals and other events. We are open to everyone, and welcome new members.
Ruído Grande means 'Big Noise' in portuguese. The pronuciation isn't obvious, and it's amusing to hear the various attempts. Don't wory about getting it right though, mostly the band members don't bother. If you are interested, phonetically it's 'hweedo granjy'.
The band began in 2001, when a non profit making organisation, Glossopdale Community Samba, was formed to provide people in Glossop and district the opportunity to learn and perform samba percussion. Mostly all beginers, they hired a musical director LP to teach and lead them when playing. The band was run by its oridnary members (as Glossopdale Community Samba) with the colaboration of the musical director. Collectively they played together as Ruído Grande.
In 2007 Glossopdale Community Samba handed over all control, including financial to the musical director, Laszlo Palko.
What is Samba?
Samba music comes from Brazil - from the back streets of Rio de Janeiro and based on traditional African rhythms brought over by slaves. Traditionally it has been the music of the young and the disaffected. Its driving rhythms demand to be danced to, and in the Samba schools across the country musicians rehearse alongside dancers of all ages as fanatic designers put together outrageous costumes in preparation for Carnival.
Samba patterns are driven by the Surdos - big drums which beat out the rhythm for the other smaller drums, bells and shakers to work around. Each of the instruments are ranged together and players must stay in time with their own pattern and with the Surdos, as well as keeping an eye on the leader who at any time can throw in a change of tempo or a break. Samba is best played fast and riding an accelerating pattern can be both scary and exhilarating. The only way to do it is let your mind release your hands and trust your instincts. And usually it comes off.
When things work the interplay of patterns seem to flux together to form a new, independent rhythm that carries players and audience away with it. Someone once said "It's almost like music" - but without the fiddly bits and the pretentiousness!
Do you have to have experience of drumming or Samba to join?
No, absolutely not. Most of us were complete beginners when the group was started up. We have had a steady influx of new members, so we are used to helping you fit in, please don't be put off if you haven't done this before!
Can just anyone come along?
Yes! Please do. This is a community-based band, and everyone is welcome. We have members of all ages, and we have an earlier session especially for younger members.
When is it?
We practice once a week, from 7:00pm to 9:30pm every Wednesday.
Where do you practice?
In the 2nd floor room above Glossop Conservative Club, on Norfolk Street and opposite the station. The entrance to the practice room is round the corner on Station Street.
How much does it cost?
£3.50 per session if you are waged, and £3.00 if you're not.
What happens at a practice session?
Our Musical Director Laszlo Palko shows us the many patterns and breaks that make up Samba. We practice them on various drums, bells and shakers. Now that we have been going a while, we have a good repertoire of pieces that we can play, and we are extending ourselves by adding further new pieces, adding complexity to the pieces we already know and improving our technique,
Is it noisy?
Oh yes. Some people like to wear earplugs when we practice - we can provide these as well as an instrument for you to play!
Where is the stunningly beautiful place in the photo above?
Glossop. The view is taken from the bottom of Shittern Clough, looking southwest over Glossop towards Coombes Edge.