For DrumGod and other ethnic-styled drummers

Factual Questions
1

This may be a cross forum post. (Sorry if it is Manny and Chronos.) Anyway, I just bought a set of congas and although I know some of the basic techniques (open and closed tones, slaps, etc) and some varying rhythms in them (including two polyrhythms 2 against 3 and 3 against 4) I would like to get more proficient at them.

Anyway, I don’t want to take lessons as I can already read the drum music and since I took my drum class in college I already have the basics down in addition to being able to do most if not all the work on my own. I was wondering what some good methods were for the Congas (I have a $400ish set that I bought on sale, so they are not great but will do for the learning process). I have a good overall percussion method still that I have picked up and worked out all the rhythms and hand patterns, again. However, this method since it is so general doesn’t go into a lot of detail with the instrument. I am more interested in just seeing some interesting patterns which can include some complicated polyrhythms. I am not afraid of difficulty really since I know with practice that will go away.

I remember seeing a book a long time ago when I worked at Southern Music (the musicians out there who order from catalogs will know this place since it is the largest single mail order music store in the US and possibly the world…it is evil to work for though) called Counting Polyrhythms. I never looked into it really and know it isn’t a method for the congas but I would be interested on feedback with that as well as any other type of methods that you guys would suggest that I pick up.

Thanks and HUGS!
Sqrl

2

My advice: take lessons. If you were already that proficient at your techniques that you could master new rhythms from books, you wouldn’t be posting your question here. If you want to play in circles and have a lot of fun, fine, but if you want to really learn an instrument, you can not substitute lessons at an early stage. Or latch on to someone you know has good technique and practice with them. But again, if you want to really learn an instrument, its traditions, and its uses, find a teacher.

3

Rhythmdvl, I don’t need to take lessons because I can master the techniques from books. I already have the basics down, I just want a book that has some different types of “sticking patterns thrown in” so I don’t have to waste my creativity inventing ones that are already around. I had a drum teacher already and technically I am certified to teach them from elementary to high school level and would feel pretty comfortable doing so up to a low high school level. Like I said, I just want to get some different ideas on what is done with some of the different hand patterns. It would work better with an example.

Using the following notation for ease: O = open note, C = Closed note, S = Slap note, L = left hand, R = right hand, D = the bigger drum and, T = tiny drim.

Anyway, a typical rock beat using straight 16th notes in 4/4 time would be (quarter notes seperated by semicolons for ease) ROD, LCT, ROD, LCT; RCT, LCT, RCT, LOT; RCT, LOT, RCT, LCT; ROT, LOT, ROT, LOT. Sorry that I couldn’t post the real notation in but you get the idea. I just want some method books to see some other type of sticking/hand patterns as in the above case. As you know, I am among the first people to suggest music lessons from a professional to increase technique but as this is only a for fun type of project I don’t need or want to spend money on something I am significantly more than capable of doing myself. As you probably are aware, I have taught music in the past (theory, some instrument specific history but could do more, and guitar/lute). I am not worried about my rhythm as I know how to practice with a metronome and do so. You didn’t answer my question and talked down to me, Rhythmdvl, which is not the spirit of my post. I simply wanted to know some methods that had different hand patterns and perhaps polyrhythmic combinations in them. If you did not know any instrument specific books then you could have at least posted something that you found gave those types of things with your djembe playing. I believe that is the talking drum, right? Assuming you played a traditional western drum instrument before, how did you reconcile the bent beater technique from the typical straight beater as is prevalent in western drums? For the record, I did very well in the percussion class I took as I gained facility on all the main percussion instruments (including the timpani which was difficult but doable) and was able to play them at least to a moderate degree in a few ensemble situations later. I do not prefer to do it as my main instrument is the guitar but you get the idea. I know a teacher would greatly improve my learning curve but as I said before, this is a just for fun project. So, if you have any of the relavent type of information that I am asking for please post it, as of now you don’t.

HUGS!
Sqrl

4

PS. Maybe I just should have asked for some names of books of Conga etudes and some varied level from intermediate to advanced conga soloes. Oh well.

HUGS!
Sqrl

5

Relax SQ, I didn’t mean to get yer knickers in a knot :slight_smile: You didn’t say in the OP (and it is a bit of a presumption in your response to have assumed I would know) that you were a drum teacher or anything close to that. I even checked your profile first to see where you were, but it is a bit vague at the moment. Besides, even you said “As you know, I am among the first people to suggest music lessons from a professional to increase technique…”

And I’m sorry, but whenever I have hear “I don’t need to take lessons because I can master the techniques from books” or something similar, I kind of cringe. You’ve taught before, no? Think about it. Learn rhythms from books? Sure. Learn history, tradition and culture from books? Sure. But master a technique? That’s a rare individual who has that prowess. Moving from instrument to instrument may be easier with time, but actual mastery of a technique can’t be gotten from a book. Then again, maybe this is a topic for GD?

That said, I apologize if in my haste to reply (us quazi-lurkers don’t get much chance to be first, you know) it sounded like I was writing down to you. I assumed you wanted to play a conga for the conga’s sake, not in a rock band. Because notes come out of a drum much easier than a violin, many more people pick them up and consider themselves musicians. It was wrong of me to presume you were one of them.

But I’m getting all digresstified here. You want to pick up some new rhythms for a fun project or two? I can’t recommend any particular conga books, but I can send you here to go get some music and such. I buy my skins, rings and such from them when I re-head my drum, they are a good company. They also have a toll-free number you can call with questions.

Lastly, the djembe is actually a close cousin (or close forerunner) to the conga. No sticks, just hands. You’ll see pictures of them on Rhythmdtraders.com. Once you see them you’ll probably recognize them - my spelling may be different than what you’ve seen. West African drums, Mamady Keita and Babatunde Olatunji are predominantly responsible for their popularity in the States.

Again, sorry for not answering you with what you wanted,

Have fun!

Rhythmdvl