Progressions in A — Cavaquinho

A major harmonises to A – Bm – C#m – D – E – F#m – G#°; A minor to Am – B° – C – Dm – Em – F – G. Each chord links to its Cavaquinho voicings, so a set in A becomes a short list of shapes before the roda ever starts playing.

Most of what a cavaquinho plays in a roda lives on two or three of these chords at a time — a samba turnaround loops, it does not wander. Choose the pair the tune leans on, pick a batida cell to chop them with, and let the repetition carry the rest.