Product Description
"Malandro" is a captivating Brazilian tango composed by Marcello Tupynambá (18891953), a prominent figure in early 20th-century Brazilian popular music. Tupynambá was a key composer in the "era do rádio" (radio era) and contributed significantly to genres like tango brasileiro, maxixe, samba, and choro.
Musical Analysis of "Malandro"
1. Genre Context: Brazilian Tango vs. Argentine Tango
Unlike the dramatic, minor-key-dominated Argentine tango, the Brazilian tango (sometimes called tango brasileiro) is often:
Lighter and more playful in mood
Influenced by maxixe (a precursor to samba) with syncopated rhythms
Harmonically richer, blending European chromaticism with Afro-Brazilian rhythms
2. Form & Structure
Likely follows a binary (A-B) or ternary (A-B-A) form, common in early 20th-century tangos.
Repetition with variation Tupynambá often used repeating themes with subtle improvisatory flourishes.
3. Rhythmic Characteristics
2/4 or 4/4 time signature (Brazilian tango sometimes leans toward a more samba-like feel than strict Argentine 2/4).
Syncopation Borrowing from maxixe and early choro, the rhythm may feature:
Offbeat accents
Tresillo or habanera patterns (e.g., dotted eighth + sixteenth + eighth notes)
Rubato phrasing Some sections may push and pull for expressive effect.
4. Harmonic Language
Chromaticism & Modulations Tupynambás works often feature:
Unexpected key shifts for dramatic effect
Diminished and augmented chords adding tension
Influence of Choro & Pixinguinha Some harmonic progressions may resemble early samba-choro hybrids.
5. Melodic Style
Lyrical yet playful The term "malandro" refers to a street-smart, charming rogue (a common figure in samba lyrics), so the melody likely reflects wit and swagger.
Ornamentation May include grace notes, slides, and quick runs for a virtuosic touch.
6. Instrumentation (Original vs. Modern Performance)
Early Brazilian tangos were often written for piano solo or small ensembles (flute, cavaquinho, guitar).
Later, orchestras and radio bands played them with richer arrangements.
Cultural & Historical Significance
"Malandro" Culture The title references the malandro, a central character in Brazilian urban folklore, symbolizing wit, musicality, and resistance.
Golden Age of Brazilian Music Tupynambás work bridges maxixe, choro, and samba, showing the evolution of Rios musical scene in the 1910s1930s.
Influence of Ernesto Nazareth Like Nazareths "Odeon" (a famous Brazilian tango), Tupynambá blends sophistication with popular appeal.
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.