Some basic conga rhythms: Tumbao, Bembe, Mozambique

[Garvin]

Hi.

I had some time over the weekend and decided to make a short video of some basic conga rhythms for folks here. I didn't include clave because frankly, I didn't have anyone to play it for me. If you wonder where the clave fits into some of these, PM me. So, here are a few rhythms for the curious. Keep in mind, I am not an expert or anything. There are tons of different variations for all of these things and I am aware of that so if you see what you think may be a glaring error, feel free to comment.

I included a standard tumbao pattern first, which is basically the thing that you would play along with any type of music in 4/4. Its kind of the percussionists standard pattern and you hear it in everything.

Next was a little Bembe variation. Its basically a 6/8 rhythm on 4 congas, but you can play it on however many you have. There are 4 basic drum parts with clave and bell stuff for it as well.

Last was a Mozambique. It's a fairly modern rhythm with lots of parts and variations. I just did it on 2 congas so you could hear how it might fit with what you play on kit. I think this is considered the Old School version. There is a New York version as well, but I don't think that is what this is.

So, if anyone has any questions or comments or wants to hear a different rhythm or more explanation please feel free to comment or PM. I'd like to be able to fill in some of the blanks for folks on some of these things.

G

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTUbKg3wy9g

[Deltadrummer]

Great, thanks for that.

[jayp]

Wasn't that first pattern the Martillo? I know thats what it is on bongos but maybe when playing congas it has a different name.

[Garvin]

The martillo would definitely be what the bongos play while the congas play tumbao. They sound kind of similar, and in son music you'd hear both at the same time. Tumbao is just a word used to describe the basic rhythm of bass and congas.

Here is a link to someone playing martillo. His bongos are kinda crappy (no offense) but his technique is spot on.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pV2E1c2Tg4s&feature=related

[jayp]

I figured that was the case but just wanted to clarify, thanks for that...

I picked up all my intro bongo stuff from Pete Locketts page on bongos. He also has some great stuff for congas too!

Next on my list of percussion instruments is deffinatly a cajon.

[Deathmetalconga]

I had some time over the weekend and decided to make a short video of some basic conga rhythms for folks here.

Cool stuff man, thanks.

[soul drummer]

Here are some great videos that I have found for basic rhythms:

Keep in mind, take to heart whatever David "La Mole" Ortiz does in his videos; he is a master conguero and an excellent teacher, I was fortunate enough to take a 2 hour lesson with him and now have enough material to practice and perfect probably for the next 4 years. And while you may not know him, you are more than likely familiar with his prodigies which include Giovanni Hidalgo, Alex Acuña, Richie Flores, Anthony Carillo, and Willie Lopez, just to name a few...

"old-style" tumbao:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlAO2YoliiM

modern tumbao:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTapvPoON3s

I'll leave you with that, there are too many instructional videos I've found for nearly all afro rhythms (keeping in mind that to many cuban musicians, anything that has origins based in Africa is considered afro; this would include rumba to a certain extent) But a good place to start is with this guy, Rudy Quesada's YouTube channel, while his lessons are very elementary, the one's he recorded with varying maestros are incredible. His link is:
http://www.youtube.com/user/rqshquesada

Bongo; A friend of "La Mole", Pablo "El Indio" Rosario who is a master bongocero. To give you a little background on him, he was the bongocero that played with Mongo Santamaria in pretty much all his greatest live recordings. Here are his instructional videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSyB9FXQ7r0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0l1nsoPJ1Q

[Deltadrummer]

Thanks for the link, man great stuff.

[Garvin]

Yeah Rudy's videos from his Cuba trip are awesome. There is nowhere else that you can get that stuff other than going to Cuba. He got some great versions of guarapachangeo and chachalokefun that are so rare to hear or learn in the states. I wrote him a long letter of thanks recently. His beginner videos are very good. He definitely knows his stuff.