Forró on electric guitar

Forró on electric guitar: the strumming patterns “Calanguetu” and “Tina Charles”, in 2/4, and the progressions Brazilian Northeast vamp (I–bVII) and simple I-IV-V (I–IV–V), each with audio on its own page. The electric guitar is not the traditional voice of samba or choro, but it fits MPB and modern arrangements well, adding smooth chords and quiet fills beside the core rhythm instruments.

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.

Grooves

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