Authentic Conga Rhythms Revised

A complete study, including illustrations, on all the Latin rhythms.

A complete study, including illustrations, on all the Latin rhythms.

Afro-Cuban percussion contributes essential characteristics to the richness of Latin American musical folklore, and its rhythmic systems hold a complexity and sophistication that deserve greater study among both learned and popular musical spheres. In Conga Drums in Space and Time, author Jorge Pardo presents an exploration of the surprising ways rhythms can create three-dimensional space when properly structured, considering Afro-Cuban percussion in particular. He charts the emotional excitement felt by listeners when exposed to syncopated rhythms using a thought-provoking theory of time positions. These ideas then carry over into Pardos own system of hand drum notation (HDN), a simple and straightforward iconography that allows percussionists of any level to sight-read two hand patterns and play authentic Conga rhythms in a short time. Through a combination of theory and practical exercises, Pardo takes musicians on an unusual rhythmic journey of discovery. Intriguing and challenging, this bilingual study explores the unexpected relationship between music and three-dimensional space and provides a simple and accessible system for percussion notation.

DVD provides over three hours of audio and video demonstrations of rehearsal techniques and teaching methods for jazz improvisation, improving the rhythm section, and Latin jazz styles.

This book--which won the 2000 DRUM Magazine Readers' Poll for "Best Instructional Book"--is a complete, step-by-step course on conga drumming. It's the book we looked for but couldn't find when we were first learning to drum. We did everything we could to make it user-friendly, so even non-musicians could understand it. The book teaches families of drum parts for several authentic Afro-Caribbean rhythms, including rumba, bomba, calypso, conga, and bembe. The instruction is clear and step-by-step, and the writing creates the intimate feel of private lessons. The charts are big and easy to read. Life-like illustrations clearly demonstrate proper technique for each stroke. Please note: audio files of the CD that comes with the print version of this book are not included in this ebook version (but are available separately).

Volume II is aimed at two distinct categories of readers: 1) Intermediate players who are ready for a wider range of rhythms to study and use in live playing situations; and 2) Experienced congueros who have digested Volume I and now seek to understand the roots of the modern Cuban conga style. Having assimilated the material in Volume I, the student should be able to play basic Son Montuno, Salsa, Chachacha, and Bolero. Volume II moves on to Guaguanco, Iyesa, 6/8, Changui, Afro, Mozambique, Pilon, Songo, Merengue, Bomba, Cumbia and other rhythms that a professional conguero will be expected to know. Each rhythm is accompanied by an article reflecting on its history and role in the "big picture" of Latin music and offering listening recommendations. Like Volume I, it uses the Step by Step online video Method. A special 8-page appendix explains the often infuriatingly complex subject of "clave" with an unprecedented level of clarity and insight. Includes access to online video.

This book is to help gain a greater working knowledge of rhythms for playing congas, bongos or almost any percussion instrument. Included is an instruction and basic hand technique for congas. Among the many patterns presented are, Samba, Clave, Latin Rhythms, Afro-Latin, West African, Middle Eastern and many more. A varied collection of rhythms.