Forró on cavaquinho

Forró on cavaquinho: the progressions Brazilian Northeast vamp (I–bVII) and simple I-IV-V (I–IV–V), each with audio on its own page. This is the cavaquinho's true home: in samba, choro and pagode it is the rhythmic and harmonic center, driving the groove with bright, percussive chords.

Close-partner dancing and festive nights in Brazil's Northeast: forró has a warm swing that pulls the whole room onto the floor, from slow shuffles to breakneck tempos. Here you'll find the Northeastern vamp — best understood as a short two-chord back-and-forth that loops endlessly — and the simple I-IV-V, popular music's most traditional chord trio.

Progressions

My Chords & Scales: Build the genre's repertoire: saving chords and scales to the Notebook is part of Pro · use it in Chord and Fret

Updated October 20, 2026