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Posted: **Thu Sep 16, 2004 9:36 am**

When playing fast mambo, i find it easier to maintain the rythm (X.X.xxxX.xxxX.xx) holding the stick tight with the index finger pointing a little (less bounce), while the technique for sticking normally is with a loose grip (more bounce) (excuse for my poor english). I also noticed on several videos and pictures of timbaleros the way they grab the stick playing the bell differs to normal sticking. So, here's my question, in't it easier to change grip a litte when playing the bell, aka with a more firm grip (so the stick won't bounce as hard as normal)?

I hope you understand what i mean, :cool:

greetz,

derrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreng

Posted: **Thu Sep 16, 2004 4:23 pm**

Ok first I would tell you to let the stick do the work. What I mean by that is, keep a loose grip on the stick, and let the stick do it's thing with the natural reactive bounce on the bell. You can also cut the pattern in half. Listen to the way Orestes Vilato plays his mambo bell with Ray Barettos band from the early 70's, he does it kinda like XX xxxXxxxX...XX,repeat accenting the larger x's. so you only hear the larger X's. Everybody holds there sticks differntly, basically it's a "match grip" Also you may want to hear the work on cowbell by Manny Oquendo on the Eddie Palmieri album "Molasses" he kills it......."JC" Johnny Conga.....

Posted: **Fri Sep 17, 2004 2:02 pm**

Lots of things here to do. Some people develop the right grip and do the "bell playing" without cheating. (Takes some time but eventually you will get the grip and you will do it comfortably for the period it needs to be done). Or, some people "cheat"....You could do bell playing limiting yourself but "hitting the clave." In other words, same effect with less effort... Tito Puented did the "cascara" pattern in fast pace mambos or "adjusted" versions of it.....

The grips of the stick is just a matter of what is supposedly technically correct. Giving the benefit of the doubt, what people say is the right grip is just that has been proven to be more effective to hit the bell and maintain the grip. However, you could adapt it to what is effective for you.... The best advise is do in the "street" what is the most effective to you...The "standards" or correct techniques are just for purposes of havin a "good base" to rely to....In the "street" what works should be done.....

Saludos!

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mambo bell fast - use of index finger?