Wood: If an Agogo bell is made out of wood, of course you cannot expect to sound like a metal bell. However, the sound of a wooden Agogo bell is much more earthy and natural. Béhague, Gerard. 1998. "Afro-Brazilian Traditions." In The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music v.2. ed. Dale A. Olsen and Daniel E. Sheehy. New York: Garland Publishing, pp. 340-355. The most common arrangement is two bells attached by a U-shaped piece of metal. The smaller bell is held uppermost. A bell known as agogo is used for religious reasons in addition to the percussion bell. It features a tongue and a clapper that are used to generate noise by striking the metallic body. Pentecostal congregations utilize it as a type of musical instrument and for prayer. The importance of agogo is the same everywhere in the world. [5] [6] Rhythmic patterns [ edit ] Afro-Brazilian agogo bell patterns. Play 1 ⓘ, 2 ⓘ, 3 ⓘ, 4 ⓘ Agogo Bells are percussion instruments that are used as a rhythmic accompaniment in music. We will give you the lowdown on the instrument’s history, where to buy one etc. So let’s dive in and find out more. What Are Agogo Bells?

It is used in the ceremonial music of religions in Yorubaland as well as in their new world practice, which is based on beliefs such as Candomblé brought by slaves from Africa.De agogô (Yoruba voor bel), of agogo-bel is een muziekinstrument, een idiofoon bestaande uit twee of drie kleine koebellen van smeedijzer of koper van verschillende grootte, verbonden door een metalen staaf. Door het verschil in grootte brengt elke koebel een andere toonhoogte voort. Het instrument wordt vanouds gebruikt in Latijns-Amerikaanse muziek, die is gebaseerd op de religieuze ceremoniële muziek van daarheen gedeporteerde Afrikaanse slaven. Het kan het oudste samba-instrument genoemd worden, ontstaan uit de West-Afrikaanse koebel. (nl)

The "afoxé" (pronounced "afoshe") is a polyrhythm that combines different pairs of bells in a haunting melody. Some batucadas voluntarily banned the use of agogos to give a more rhythmic and drumming spirit. My opinion is that the agogo constitutes one of the most typical Brazilian instruments, and that it would be a waste to eliminate it from the batucada.

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Small Coconuts: There are also Agogo instruments that has a bell made out of small coconut shells. This type of bell has a rough surface but produces a clear and rich sound.

As for tamborim or surdos, in fast tempos, the section of agogos can improvise melodic interlaced lines fluctuating and enchanting, which give this both "compact" and living character, so typical of the samba.

Bell pattern 1 is the most basic, or archetypal pattern. It is the 4/4 form of what is known in ethnomusicology as the standard pattern, and known in Cuba as clave. Pattern 1 is used in maculelê and some Candomblé and Macumba rhythms. Bell 2 is used in afoxê and can be thought of as pattern 1 embellished with four additional strokes. Bell 3 is used in batucada. Pattern 4 is the maracatu bell and can be thought of as pattern 1 embellished with four additional strokes. McGowan, Chris, and Ricardo Pessanha. 2009. The Brazilian Sound: Samba, Bossa Nova, and the Popular Music of Brazil. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.