Can't hear the congas - Figuring out tunes

[salpica]

Hello Everyone,

When I listen to music I can hear congas playing but I can't hear the exact strokes being played. Congas are either drowned out by the rest of the band or they get mixed up with all the other percussion instruments. I have a hard time figuring out what the conga player is doing on most tunes. I would love to sit down with a teacher and have him break down the tunes but I'm a little short on cash right now. Is there some secret to figuring out rythm patterns?

Thanks very much.

[JohnnyConga]

Well there are a few ways to go about it... One is "ear training"....I used to literally put my ear to the speakers and concentrate on the conga drummer...also if u can pick up some learning DVD's like a "Kalani" DVD to get u started...Where do u live and let's see if there are any teachers in your hood....."JC" Johnny Conga...

[Smejmoon]

One is to listen/play more congas, then I can recognize sound better on songs, where I could never imagine before.

Other is to experiment with equalizer settings; try to remove unneeded frequencies, boost congas.

Also start with recognizing open tones, they should have characteristic sound; then slaps, being loud, bass and maybe someday heel-toe movements.



Edited By Smejmoon on 1168369690

[afrocubarico]

Salpica,
I used to experience the same thing when I first got into playing. I think the advice from J.C. and Smejmoon is very good.

J.C. hit it right on the nail when he stated "ear training". I think listening to as much music as you can is key. Not just in learning to fish out what the conguero is doing but to also to learn timing as well as how to use fills and soloing. Before you know it the conga patterns will jump right at ya!

afrocubarico

[CongaTick]

Dead on right. The most important musical instrument you have to master is your ears.

[Facundo]

Salpica,

I completely agree with the advice already given. However, I would also add that it necessary to know and be able to recognize the various tones of the conga and how they are produced. The four primary tones the open, slap, muff and base have variations that can sometimes be confusing. Seeing only be understood by observing different players. The most confusing thing to learn and hear is various taps and hand rockings that serve to keep time and fill out the rhythm but are not accented. This means that any every stroke of any given rhythm is not played at the same volume which makes it undetectable when other drums or instruments are being played at the same time. Yet, it is these various touches on the drum that give the rhythm its' feel and unique swing. So I would also visually observe and the study hand movements of as many players as you can. Over time you will be able to add the touches and rocks needed to mimic what you are hearing on recordings. Even though you are not playing the exact same hand pattern of what you are hearing, you will still be able to duplicate the "feel and swing" of what you are hearing on recordings.

The last thing I would say is clave, clave, clave! You should cultivate your sense of clave until it is like your own internal heartbeat and becomes your intuitive feel for the music. Clave is the framework that the musical phrases are build around. Listen and find the clave in the music and hear how the various instruments play around, on and off of the clave. You can also clap clave to a lot of non-latin music. What turned out to be a revelation for me was just how universal clave really is. In many cases I discovered that what made a particular tune really exceptional was the musician's or singers phrasing around the clave I tap out. I have found this to be true with a great diversity of musical genres. Study clave very hard and the rewards will be far beyond the abilities you may be currently reaching for. That's my long winded 2 cents. Hope it helps.

Facundo

[ozrivera]

man, great advice from everyone. besides all the good stuff already mentioned. id like to add that something you can also do is listen to some music where the conga is very dominant, for example, good songs to listen too would be, congas de mi cuba, or tumba y bongo both songs are performed by los papines. in these types of songs you can clearly hear the conga and it should help you in training your ear.
good luck

Oz

[Wexford1]

The hearing of conga and bongo parts are done as the ear capitulates the sound vibrations in the order of the notes to which have been played. For I have reattin many documentations on this. The ear can predicate many sensations.