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Posted: **Sat Jan 28, 2006 9:12 pm**

As a 48-year-old new to percusssion, i am humbled and more than a little intimidated by my lack of knowledge in the art. I feel nearly devoid of knowledge regarding history of these instruments, almost unaware of the traditional rhythms that go with them, and pretty unqualified to answer all but the simplest questions.

Having laid that background, I've been studying the Pete lockett website (free video clips). My lesson budget is zero, and here in missouri the closest instructor is nowhere near me anyway. I like Petes' approach as less intimidating for a guy like me who may have missed his calling. I realize I am limiting myself by not being a life-long percussionist, but I have to start somewhere, and the free videos really come in handy for me.

I feel blessed with good eye-hand coordination, and am rapidly learning from the videos. Still, I feel like I'll probably never be more than a pop/christian contemporary artist who happens to play congas in a band.

As I strive to improve technically, and learn more traditional rhythms, I find I don't have any place to apply those new skills within the context of my band.

I already have seen the huge knowledge base and tremendous experience levels here on this site. I mean, some of you guys can even argue about the ethnic origins of things based on personal experience!

I wonder how many there are like me who feel newer than new, even though we are getting older? From the pros, can you suggest some motivational techinques or experiences to keep me feeling this is going to pay off musically even if I don't use the "real stuff" in the band? I feel like it is, but am a little overwhelmed, I guess.

Slightly frustrated, but not defeated.

God bless!

-Ron

Posted: **Sat Jan 28, 2006 11:31 pm**

bongoron,
I didn't get my first drum till I was 36. I've been at it for 10 years, and I'm still really a beginner. But the joy and spirit of the drum is so great, you have to keep going. Get a good teacher,or videos for the fundimentals, then be musical! There are many ways to apply traditional patterns and techniques to all kinds of music. I play in a funk/rock band, but still find cool ways to use variations of son, mozambique, or guaguanco in a 4/4 groove. Follow the bass and you will find your way. It does help to have a kit player who can hold down a good steady groove. Keep at it...for all of us who are "old but new"

Peace,
tfunk

Posted: **Sun Jan 29, 2006 1:19 am**

Hey B,
Hang in there. When I started hand percussion as an adult (pretty much a complete beginner) I took the view, " I don't know where this path will lead me, but as long I'm enjoying it, I'm going to stay on it and just see where it takes me" (And it has certainly taken me many places).
When I started I was a slow learner and I think I frustrated the #### out of some of my teachers!

As your experience develops you will find ways of fitting rhythms to the music that you play. See if you can find someone else who plays congas, drum kit or bass to practice or jam with.

God bless you too!
Pavlo

Posted: **Sun Jan 29, 2006 2:17 am**

Ron, your story kinda resembles what I went through when I very first started, Im still a beginner im 33 years old and I only started a couple years ago hand drumming, even more I just recently as a few months started getting into the percussion part of latin jazz. I too took the pete lockett route, I found everything I could on the net about congas, latin jazz, hand drumming djembe west african etc. back and fourth back and fourth I read a lot and search for a lot of info that will help me learn more about drumming.

Having said all that, when I was first presented to play I had a purpose much like you, I had a church band to apply it in, but now that I started the latin jazz groove I wondered what the heck I was going to do with it once I learned it. Well for one, after services we usually play some instrumental things as people are leaving so I thought it would be cool to latin jazz it up a little. So I started passing out some cd's to my fellow band members that I thought would like a little spice and slowly but surely I would start up the tumbao rhythm and a few members joined in with some jam before you know it we was having our own little latin jazz party :-)

... you could try that with your group and just tell them you would like to try some jazzy stuff on the side.

Also a few faster songs that we play in church when I am on congas actually had space for a tumbao rythm believe it or not and I threw that in there sounded great. Just learn what you can and see where it take you. Hand the guitar player and bass player a latin jazz cd and say it would be cool if we could play some of this on the side, or after services etc. It worked for me, might for you too...

But at any rate keep on keepin on you'll love what you learn and then when you do get to use it you will be delighted !

Posted: **Sun Jan 29, 2006 5:34 pm**

Hey guys,

Hope everyone is well and enjoying life!

It is NEVER too late to start an instrument. A long time ago ... like almost 30 years! ...I was
taking piano lessons and the gentleman that followed after me was around 70 years old. It was
his first time ever playing an instrument. He really
was enjoying it and gave him that special "glint" in the eyes. :;):

I continued with lessons for another 10 years then decided that the guitar would be more fun / transportable.
On and off with the guitar for about 10 years followed by a long break.

Now, at the age of 35 1/2, I have been "playin' the skins" for just under a year. It's like a new lover has
waltzed into my life! :laugh:

As many others are trying to do ... I want to learn traditional rhythms and apply them to other music.
Fusion with a Funk you might say.

On that note (pun intended) here's a link to a creation of mine: My Webpage

It starts with an Iyesa pattern and is then "fuzed" with a modified Guaguanco. Then add clave, maracas
and some impromtu agogo with "delay effect". The voices added were via software called Cool Edit Pro.

Let me know what you think of my first ever recording!

Peace,
Cap'nQ

Posted: **Sun Jan 29, 2006 5:41 pm**

Oye Papa!
Capn'Q, dat's hot!

Great job my brother! You've got some skills mi pana!

Suave!
Onile!

Posted: **Sun Jan 29, 2006 6:50 pm**

hahah very funky bro !
good job, dont yu love cool edit pro !!!

btw yu need a home page for that site, are yu workin on one?

Edited By Bataboom on 1138560756

Posted: **Sun Jan 29, 2006 7:40 pm**

To Bongoron;
welcome to world of congas! Enjoy the journey.
I recomend the video series by Bobby Sanabria (
DCI video) "Getting Started on Congas" Vol. 1-3,
The two Videos - Beginner & Advance Congas by Rolando Soto, and "Evolution of the Tumbadoras" by Changuito & Giovanni Hidalgo (DCI). Just watching their hands is visual
learning. There's also the old instructional material
put out by LP.
The vol.1 of the book/DVD series:
the Tomas Cruz Conga Method, is also excellent because
it has a close up of his hands at all times and he plays
everything slowly at first. It's like being in the room
with him.
Also look for some brasilian percussion.
If there a Capoeira class( a form of martial arts from
Brasil, in your area? They play the
Atabaque - a conga like drum.
Don't worry about your new knowledge fitting into
what you play now...give it time and you'll start to hear
all kinds of openings, with new ears!
Get some classic Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente's
percussion albums: Puente in Percussion, and
Top Percussion (with Mongo and Willie Bobo) and
Mongo's Afro Roots. They are what the New York
congueros were raised on.
Your on the right road, my friend. The learning material
is a solid investment, especially since there are no
teachers nearby. I grew up in Winnipeg Canada
and experienced the same sense of isolation. It took
a frustrating few extra years to get on the right track. Finally I found a teacher from Cameroons, Africa that moved to Canada. His name was Emile Amos Bisseck and had played with Manu Dibango. He sadly passed on last year.
I started in High school in the 70s, but the learning goes on and on, no matter what stage we're at. The bar for congas is constantly rising, so as Changuito says " we must be ready for what the future has in store." These
days the door to the good information is everywhere thanks to the web and this wonderful community we have right here on congaplace.

Isaac
Percussionist / Rep. JCR Percussion Co.
funkytradition@yahoo.com

Posted: **Sun Jan 29, 2006 10:09 pm**

Cap'n'Q,

Nice piece, mean and melodic. Love the shout.

Thanks for sharing
Diceman

Posted: **Sun Jan 29, 2006 11:17 pm**

It's all good. Captainquinto..that was worth the wait on my slow dial-up connection! That's the kind of stuff I like to record too! I guess for now I'll do that here at home and do the less traditional/pop rhythms at church. Lots to learn...the encouraging words helped. Thanks everybody!

Posted: **Sun Jan 29, 2006 11:59 pm**

Many thanks guys!

This forum has the most encouraging, decent musicians ... anywhere!

Peace!
Cap'nQ

Posted: **Mon Jan 30, 2006 4:27 am**

To Bongoron and all,
I also HIGHLY recommend the video (on dvd now?) "Evolution of the Tumbadoras" by Changuito and Giovanni Hidalgo. There is at least 2 years worth of practice material on that video and, like Isaac says, you will learn just by watching his hand movements as well as listening to one of the greatest living masters of percussion. All music is notated in booklet form too. I still get inspired by that video!

best regards
Pavlo

Posted: **Mon Jan 30, 2006 5:49 am**

Hey Captain Q,
That sounded nice and sweet.
Keep it up! HEY!!
Happy Drumming always,
Steady Freddy

Posted: **Mon Jan 30, 2006 4:12 pm**

Thanks a lot steady freddy ... and always happy drumming to you as well!

As far as those DVD's go, I definitely agree with Isaac and pavloconga.
The Tomas Cruz method book w/ DVD series is REALLY good.

However ... watching Giovanni Hidalgo is sickening! :O :p
His DVD "Conga Virtuoso" contains a lifetime of inspiration.
I don't think I'm the only one that gets nauseous while watching!

Peace,
Cap'nQ

Posted: **Mon Jan 30, 2006 4:32 pm**

captainquinto wrote:Thanks a lot steady freddy ... and always happy drumming to you as well!

As far as those DVD's go, I definitely agree with Isaac and pavloconga.
The Tomas Cruz method book w/ DVD series is REALLY good.

However ... watching Giovanni Hidalgo is sickening! :O :p
His DVD "Conga Virtuoso" contains a lifetime of inspiration.
I don't think I'm the only one that gets nauseous while watching!

Peace,
Cap'nQ

If you watch carefully, in slow motion...you can plainly see three more appendages sprouting from his arms. This is proof of extraterrestrial life on our own planet :p .

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