Chtimulato wrote:In this case (on congas), I like to begin with both hands : the right one on the tumbadora, and the left one on the conga, playing the 2 open tones at the same time. Regardless of the clave direction. And of the kind of music. My band mates are used to it. I also like to "announce" this beginning with a slapped flam on the previous 4th beat. So does our drummer too on the snare. This gives me the feeling to "install" the groove.
Thomas Altmann wrote:I play an open tone on the macho on 1, usually with my right hand and on either side of the clave.
I might choose to syncopate it to 4+ before the 3-part if it's inside an arrangement.
For the start of the montuno section, I like to play the hembra on 1, also on either side of the clave. However, I make sure it doesn't clash with the timbalero's abanico rimshot - that's my personal concern.
Also keep in mind that in a given tune, the arrangement may call for a completely different start. If the piece starts, say, with a pickup on 2+ (or anywhere), then you are generally supposed to start your tumbao there as well.
TBH, I don't quite understand what you mean here.
That's nice. I usually do it kind of the other way around. Right before a montuno in 2-3, I normally play the tumba on 4 (often without the 4+, emphasizing the ponche on clave) and then start the montuno with an open on the macho. I don't know where I got that from (or if it's even "right"), it just sounds good to me.
I'm not sure if I've ever encountered a montuno in 3-2 when playing congas, so I don't know how I would play it.
I also haven't thought too much about the timbalero yet, I guess I'm only familiar with abanicos ending on 1.
Would you in that case typically start with an open tone too (wherever your first stroke is), or does it just depend on the arrangement?
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