Maxixe on cavaquinho

Maxixe on cavaquinho: the strumming pattern “syncopated pick pattern”, in 2/4, with audio on its own page. On the cavaquinho a chord progression comes out bright and rhythmic; the four high strings pack the notes close together, so each shape sounds compact and lively.

That old Brazilian ballroom dance with a playful sway: maxixe sounds quick and syncopated — in other words, its accents land off the strong beats — and full of mischief. Here you'll find the style's strumming patterns, the rhythmic figures that create its bouncy swing.

Grooves

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

Updated October 20, 2026