Progressions in G — Cavaquinho

G major harmonises to G – Am – Bm – C – D – Em – F#°; G minor to Gm – A° – A# – Cm – Dm – D# – F. Each chord links to its Cavaquinho voicings, so a set in G 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.