Congas and Percussion - First Time Out

[mangorockfish]

Today, I'm going to go play with a guitar player in a new duo project. Him on guitar, banjo, mandolin and vocals and me on congas, durms, and percussion. I have never really played congas only with anyone. Have always played drums, but today that is going to change. I hope that I'm up to it. Will report when I get home on the outcome.

[onile]

Congratulations Abure Mangorockfish!

It's a great experience working in a duo situation, it frees you up to play time and melodies. There is one caviat though, a good percent of guitarists don't pay as much attention to timing like you do. I play numerous trio gigs with a guitarist and flautist, which leaves me to keep time. Although my timing is such that when the international clocks go out of whack, they call me to see what time it is! :laugh:

All I'm saying is that you'll need to adjust from time-to-time with your guitarist, so be sure to count the breaks, or play the melody when things get a little fuzzy. Another bit of advice is if you are familiar with "mazacote", then play that when you and the guitarist get off meter.

I'm sure that you'll have a blast all the same Abure Mangorockfish, if you enjoy playing, you'll have fun with it!

Many blessings!
Onile!

[mangorockfish]

Onile, thanks for the encouragement. The guitarist and I have been playing together for five or six years in a couple of bands, but I was playing drums. Today, we got off meter a couple of time, but recovered quickly. It really went well, a lot better than I had expected.

I have had my congas for maybe four years now and just tapped on them from time to time, but now I'm hooked. It is so great to actually play with someone and moving them is so much easier than a drum set.
Pardon me for rambling on, but I am SO PUMPED that I can't help it.

Onile, what is "mazacote"?



Edited By mangorockfish on 1170030852

[onile]

Alafia Abure Mangorockfish!

I'm glad to hear that you had a great time of it!

The "mazacote" that I'm referring to is the HTST:
in other words;

heel; toe; slap; toe; repeat

This is actually pulled from the basic tumbao pattern of:

H T S T H T O O
(heel-toe-slap-toe-heel-toe-open-open)

the count is:

H T S T H T O O:
1 a 2 a 3 a 4 a :

When playing and one gets off meter, playing mazacote until you feel/find the ever cosmic "one", then you insert the pattern appropriately.

This particular mazacote has a similar sound as that of the bongo (ticky-tocky-ticky-tocky) pattern.

I hope that I haven't confused you with this.

Many blessings!
Onile!



Edited By onile on 1170034595

[mangorockfish]

Thank you very much. That was pretty much what I did in the "off meter situation" but didn't know that it had a name.
Have a wonderful day my friend.
Mango'

[onile]

Abure Mangorockfish!

the correct execution would be the following: sorry for the previous mis-labeling

H T S T H T S T:
1 a 2 a 3 a 4 a :

Suave!
Onile!