New, but old..

[Rene]

Grace and Peace to everyone I'm also a new begginer at 30. I would like to learn more beats,the only beat I know right now is the tumbao. I don't know how to read music for the congas. I just know Heel,tip,base,slap and open hand. What are reccomended steps. I do love the way congas sound.

[Bataboom]

Hi Rene first welcome to the forum, glad to see you starting hand drumming.

Heel,tip,base,slap and open hand

Thats a good thing to know for starters, a lot of people will tell you to find a teacher for lessons, which would be great if you can afford it or if one is even in your area. But in the event that you cant you look like your off to a start anyhow.

The thing that I did was a ton of online research on congas, djembe, and hand drumming period. Got ahold of some drumming clips, sound files, music etc. and read read read.... helps to know a little about your interest here.

Participating in the forum "if you can converse with the right people" will help you a lot on your journey. Ask questions if you have any and be spacific because some peoples opinions overshoot there you know what, you want answers not flabby opinions

Practice what you already know a lot get the slap and tone strokes good and clear, feel your way around your drums experiment with your own playing, create some too just enjoy what your learning and things will come together.

If you got some extra dough get a lesson book and cd to help you as well, esspecially if your learning on your own.

stick around and hope to
post with you more!

how long have you had your congas, and how long sense you started playing?

a few links to help you on your way..
http://www.congahead.com/index.html
check out the video section for some inspiration.

http://www.meinlpercussion.com

http://www.petelockett.com/pete%20new%20pages/Conga%20lessons.html

[url=\http://www.ponchosanchez.com/flashed.html]\http://www.ponchosanchez.com/flashed.html[/url]

http://www.timba.com/artists/michelle/index.asp?page=video.htm

http://www.boomwhackers.com/music2.htm
to help at tuning...

http://www.rhythmtraders.com/art/index.html

http://www.radioceros.com/ondemandvideo/mamadykeita/mamadykeita.htm



Edited By Bataboom on 1138858876

[bongoron]

Just a little piggy back on the basics...the slap may take a while. I played for over a month, and it happened in church. It was very sudden, left hand first, then the right. I was just getting into a crescendo during a powerful song. I never thought twice about it again, and suddenly all the rhythms with slaps in them became available. I had been trying them, but no result. So be patient with the slap, and enjoy all the other sounds until you figure it out. I read somewhere that a single drum has over 4 billion rhthym combinations, when you count the number of possible strokes in a 4/4 measure (not even counting other time signatures!), two measures to a pattern, and all the different sounds available to a conga player. Even a beginner has plenty available!
God bless!

-Ron

[Igor]

Hello to all groovy brothers !

Bongoron, Tfunk and all other fresh "oldies". I´am 42 now and since september/october last year new in percussion landscapes (after years of piano/keyb).
"Slightly frustrated, but not defeated" (Bongoron) - that´s the word man ! Many times I feel just the same. But- trust yourself, your imagination and feeling for timing is essential ! All other things - technique, speed, endurance... comes along with time and some oriented and pointed practicing with teacher, DVD, web or something else.

Beat on, nice day ! Igor

[caballoballo]

Bongoron,brothers

It is never too late to learn. I am also 48 years old and have been playing on and off over time. Last years my friend got the band together again and he really had a hard time to convince me to play because I did not want to get involve. I even sold my Bongó to a friend who plays Conga and later after I got convince,he sold me back the Bongó so I did not have to borrow it from him. The band have been playing at least 3 time a month and I really enjoy playing plus watching the dancers is really joyful. Now I have been thinking to go back to school and start again learning or refreshing my music reading,something that started when I was 16 years old so is never late to start plus you need to fuel your life with something you like,it may look complicate at first but if it is too easy then you will have no fun. Like somebody said,it is like having a new beautiful young blond,black or brown girlfriend. Pa' encima



Edited By caballoballo on 1138881739

[CongaTick]

62 years old. playing since the 70's. some lessons. lots of frustration. some success. forever exploring, doubting and playing/practcing every day, every day... It's an addiction of the soul

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... olfart.jpg

[captainquinto]

Nice pic Congatick!

That's what my mountain biking friends refer to as "perma-grin" :laugh:

Welcome Rene! You are off to a good start by finding this forum. Use the "Search" function often as there
is a vast amount of knowledge here. Also, the "Congabook" you can access from the home page is great.

Peace and Drums!

Cap'nQ

[bongoron]

What size djembe is that? How are you supporting it at the same level as the congas? That looks like a real possibility for my setup! Big boom without sacrificeing my rhthms.

[bongoron]

I truly appreciate the support. Here's an update. We had a youth rally at church, and the stage was cleared for the visiting band/drama team. I took home my congas, and rainsticks, and eventually my bongos. I have had nearly two weeks of daily practice (I know I need daily practice...shame on me for getting lazy) and the fire I once had has returned! Last night I took my tumba to the Wednesday night service, and applied my new enthusiasm in a three piece band with one electric, one acoustic, and me. I was the only one truly unplugged. Because I've worked my technique very hard these two weeks, The report was a very good balance of the three instruments. I am very encouraged. I also devised a new mike setup for the main sanctuary, so I can play with good technique, and still be heard in the mix with 8 other instruments. Very happy. New plan to always bring at least one drum home after church. I've been riding my motorcycle to church, and didn't want to bother my wife to bring a drum over for band practice. I'll just do it Saturday night..it's really worth the practice time at home..What was I thinking? Do you guys ever slip up in your practice regimes?



Edited By bongoron on 1138898988

[ALKEBULAN]

Bongoron where are you located in Missouri...There are teachers in the St. Louis, East St. Louis and Kansas City Areas...

[bongoron]

I am 2 hours from KC and three from St louis. Kindof central to the state. No money in the budget for lessons or travel at this time, though.

[caballoballo]

Bongoron, by the way you write I can see your enthusiasm about practicing. For me,sometimes I laid off for a while and then I go back to practice,is like something in your veins that call for you to hit your instrument. If I have a gig then I be on top of my Bongó and Bell every day but at least once a week because the band rehearse every Wensday night. Me and a friend Conguero usually practice at least every other week to get our rhytm tight. Practice is the key to success.

[bongoron]

Amen Caballoballo. Our church band is currently having practice issues...and the result is what you'd expect. Since we have 9-10 band members, it's a 15 minute job just getting everybody rhythm synched. The problem is, many aren't practicing at home. Even when I leave my congas at church, I have djembes and darbukas, bongos, etc to keep my rhythm tight and I practice about 60/40 with/without electronic metronome at home. It's discouraging when the first 15 minutes of practice is just rhythm issues, and let's not even talk about knowing the chords or progressions...or the song. Add a 15-25 minute late arrival time by the lead singer and drummer, and you have a mess. One hour before Sunday school obliterated by a lack of practice. It's a wonder we get it done at all. I think our youth rally taught us all a few things about a tight band. Looking forward to the expected change.

[Rene]

Gentlemen, thank you for the info and the encouragement. With God anything is possible, and one day I will be sharing my experinces.
Grace and Peace

[CongaTick]

bongoron,
djembe is A 16" Remo supported on a homemeade wooden base I cobbled together. The drum base is steadied and held in place with heavy duty spring wall clips sold at any hardware store for holding heavy tools, brooms, etc. Sorry about pix quality. Crappy digicam.

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... beAJPG.JPG