Pandeiro
A pandeiro is a large version of a tamborine. Small and portable, pandeiros are a common addition to capoeira rodas everywhere. Capoeira pandiero skins are generally made from streched animal skin. Some older pandeiros are even made from the snake skin! In Brazil, pandeiros are also an integral part of samba music.
There are various methods for playing the pandeiro, but in capoeira the principle rhythm is almost always the same. It is four beats followed by a shake, with the emphasis on the third. One easy method for playing is by alternating fingers and thumb: [fingers, thumb, FINGERS, thumb, shake] Berimbau
The berimbau, a vital aspect of the art of capoeira, is called "the leader" because it's rhythm controls the tempo, mood and energy of the games the capoeiristas play. It evolved from a one-stringed instrument brought to Brazil from Angola in the 19th century. At the foot of the berimbau the players offer their respect and begin the game of capoeira. The Verga is the bracing stick, usually four or five feet long. The Arame is the wire strung to both ends of the verga to form the bow-like shape of the berimbau. The Baqueta is the wooden stick that is used to strike the arame and create the sound of the berimbau. The Moeda/Dobrão is the coin or rock placed against the arame to create different tones in the music. The Cabaca is the hollowed out gourd used as a resonation chamber similar to the guitar's body. The Caxixi is a small basket of seeds held in the same hand as the baqueta.

Atabaque
Atabaque is a large drum used in capoeira rodas. The skin is made from cow hide, and tightened through a system of metal rings, rope and wooden wedges. To tighten an atabaque, hammer the wooden wedges downward, but always take the atabaque out of its stand first. Otherwise the stand can be weakened and break.
The basic beat of the atabaque in the capoeira roda is very similar to that of the pandeiro - four beats with an emphasis on the third. Typically this is played with the hands in the following pattern: [right, left, RIGHT, right] Try to avoid resting your hand on the rim of the drum.
 
Music
Capoeira is rooted in music, rhythm, and dance.  As a martial art it offers an opportunity for players to spar but also tease each other within the roda.  A roda would not be complete without several key instruments: