Bossa Nova Samba Patterns for Piano

By Thomas Gunther

March 2, 2024

Bossa Nova Samba, Brazilian Piano, Latin Piano

What you learn from this post

Definition of Bossa Nova and Bossa Nova Samba
Bossa Nova Samba piano patterns for accompanying a singer or an instrumentalist
Bossa Nova Samba left hand patterns for piano

Authenticity is paramount!

Each example presented here is based on original Bossa Nova Samba recordings by world -class Brazilian musicians like Antonio Carlos Jobim, who composed some of the most beautiful Brazilian songs, such as The Girl From Ipanema and One Note Samba.

Free Download Offer!

To get your free download of our Authentic Bossa Nova Samba Piano Accompaniment Patterns & Exercises please subscribe to our mailing list (you may unsubscribe any time!) using the form below.

After downloading your free PDF, I recommend you watching the related video tutorial below, which explains all the different accompaniment patterns shown in the PDF.

Here are the main points the video focuses on:

Examples of the most important classic Bossa Nova Samba guitar and piano patterns
How to adapt Bossa Nova Samba guitar patterns for the piano
Left hand patterns
Right hand patterns

What is Bossa Nova

Bossa Nova is a softer, commercialized, and heavily jazz-influenced type of traditional Samba music that originated in Brazil.
In Brazil, it is called Bossa Nova Samba, or Samba Bossa Nova.

When listening to Brazilian recordings titled " Samba," we find a great variety in tempo, feel, and rhythm; many sound like what jazz musicians call Bossa Nova.

It is important to understand that in Brazil, the "Bossa Nova Beat" is characteristic of a samba style rather than an autonomous genre, as opposed to jazz musicians in the USA and Europe, who refer to Bossa Nova as a genre.

About My Free Video Tutorial on Bossa Nova Samba Piano Accompaniments

I created a comprehensive video tutorial based on authentic Brazilian Bossa Nova Samba music. Since the acoustic guitar is essential in Bossa Nova Samba music, many piano rhythm patterns featured in the video are inspired by guitar patterns played by famous Brazilian Bossa Nova Samba guitarists.

Our Most Popular Solo Piano Arrangement

Our best selling Solo Piano Arrangement Of The Month is THE GIRL FROM IPANEMA.
It is one of the most beautiful Brazilian Bossa Nova Samba songs by Antonio Carlos Jobim ever written. Get the sheet music for only $5.99 now!

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Thomas Gunther

About the author

Thomas Gunther, also known as Thommy Günther in Germany, is a highly versatile jazz pianist, keyboardist, music producer, and educator with international recognition. He was born and raised in Germany, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Performing Jazz and Popular Music from the State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart.

After relocating to Chicago, Thomas quickly became the principal pianist for the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, which is directed by the esteemed music arranger and composer William Russo. In this role, he had the opportunity to collaborate with renowned artists such as Randy Brecker, Body DiFranco, Archie Shepp, Jon Faddis, Cassandra Wilson, and Orbert Davis.

Currently, Thomas is an integral part of the Chicago music scene, performing with various groups both as a sideman and as a leader. He heads the Thomas Gunther Trio Plus and has toured Germany with the Thomas Gunther’s Taste Of Chicago Band. In addition to his performance career, he has produced, arranged, and recorded a substantial body of work, serving both in leadership roles and as a collaborator.

Thomas also provides music arranging and orchestration services for ensembles of all sizes, including contributions to the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. As an educator, he shares his expertise as an Adjunct Professor at Columbia College Chicago. For more information about Thomas, visit https://www.ThomasGunther.com.

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