F. I. T. Cutting Edge text

Boxed Example 17.1 
The Samba Boys 
The Brazilian national soccer team is known colloquially as the 
Samba Boys
. The team 
uses music in several different ways. The players enjoy upbeat Latin American music 
in the changing room while they prepare mentally (pre-task music). As they step onto 
the pitch they are usually greeted by a throng of percussion musicians positioned 
strategically among their supporters and, once play gets underway, the drums pound 
relentlessly in the background (asynchronous music). On occasion, the players seem to 
lock collectively into the samba rhythm, which promotes their flowing patterns of play 
(synchronous music). After the match, many of the players like to listen to an entirely 
different Brazilian rhythm – the bossa nova – which is soft and soothing (recuperative 
music). They report that there is no better antidote for the knocks and strains 
encountered during 90 minutes of soccer! Insight into their use of music is provided by 
the following quote from former team coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira, in 2006:
“Psychologists say it is very important in the dressing room and coming from the 
hotel to the stadium that you do something with your hands, with your mouth … 
If you just sit there worrying, clutching your hands, that does not help. If you play 
something it helps them relax. That‟s why we give them the drums and things … 
Since 1970 we have done this. We buy instruments for them and they play on the 
bus instead of saying, „Oh my God, we are going to play Germany or England in a 
World Cup game.‟ That does not help.”
 
This video link illustrates how music forms an integral part of the Samba Boys‟ pre-
game preparation: 
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/110649/brazil_team_dance_the_samba/ 

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The Role of Music 36 
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