Delivering a thick layer of melodic icing on top of the complete samba sound is the agogo bell. Played with a stick in one hand and the bell in the other, the agogo bell is a two, three or four-toned bell that creates  percussive melodies that dance over the top of the sound of the drums.

The agogo is one of the less-technical instruments to play, and this makes it the ideal place to start for new players. Being less technical should not be confused with dull or boring though. The agogo can rock as hard as any other instrument in the bateria, and especially with a four-toned agogo, the potential for creating exciting melodic patterns and fills is practically limitless.

The agogo is another key element in the sound of a bateria that distinguishes it from other groups and helps to define their unique sound. The agogo section in the bateria usually plays set repeating patterns for each part of the samba, and may add extra variation on the breaks. When played solo, there is some room for improvisation on the agogo.

As with the tamborim, the agogo is a very portable instrument and the players are more free to dance and move to the music while they play.

Here's a close up video of the agogo section in Imperio Serrano, the school that pioneered the use of the four-tone agogo bell.