"Em Cima" means on, up or above. Playing Caixa "Em Cima" means to play the caixa held up above your arm.

The Em Cima syle of playing caixa originated in the samba school Estacio, but is now used by many samba schools throughout Rio de Janeiro and the world.

Although it may at first seem difficult or cumbersome, playing em cima actually has a couple of advantages; the drum is held tightly against you so you can move more freely without the drum swinging all over the place, and also the sound projects outwards instead of downwards so it potentially carries further. 

Em Cima is not just how to hold the drum, but also refers to the basic pattern which is often played this way. This pattern works well played on the arm, but can still be played "em baixo" (below) with the drum on a shoulder strap. 

Here's a great video showing how nice this pattern sounds on its own.

 

 

This is the primary style of samba caixa played in Bateria 61. The sticking is as follows:

 

R R L R R L R L R L R L R L R L

 

R = Right stick

R = Right stick rim shot

L = Left stick

 

This pattern starts with two pairs of double strokes on the right hand, with a single note from the left in between. The rest just alternates singles strokes with the right and left.

 

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How to Play Caixa Em Cima

This great video from Carl Dixon is a fantastic introduction to playing caixa em cima.

 

 

Start slowly, as in this video, and slowly build up speed. It helps to leave out the rimshots until you have the basic sticking pattern down.

When you're comfortable with the sticking, try including the rimshots. It can take a lot of time to get this pattern feeling and sounding comfortable.

Remember not to rush, but just play at a tempo that feels and sounds good. Faster tempos will come naturally with practice.

When you can play along with these guys, you're doing really well!

 

 

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Further practice

Thanks to Mike M. from Bateria 61, we have recordings of (a variation of) this pattern being played at various tempos to practice to.

Here's how to use them:

1) Download the files to your media player of choice.

2) Start with a tempo you are most comfortable with. If you're just starting, go with the slowest tempo.

3) Try playing along to the audio track. Pay careful attention to the tempo and the swing of the rhythm.

4) There are gaps of silence in the recordings. When you hit the silence, keep playing at the same tempo. When the audio starts again, you'll know right away if you wandered off the tempo or not!

5) Keep it up if you really want to nail it!

Please click the links below to download.

 

Caixa Tijuca @ 112 BPM

Caixa Tijuca @ 125 BPM

Caixa Tijuca @ 140 BPM

 

All original recordings are by Chris Quade Couto - koelnsamba.de / rio-samba.com

Thanks for these recordings go to Chris Quade Couto and Mike M.