New Member - Just Starting Out...

[Flashman]

Hello all! I am a new member, and this is my first post. I've been playing around with some borrowed LP Aspires for about a year now, but have yet to take any lessons, or put a lot of time into practicing. My "playing around" has resulted in a few requests for my participation in jam sessions and actual on-stage performances at small venues by accomplished musicians. I've been told I'm "a natural", and have received various compliments on my playing.

So, I think it's time to actually start learning some proper conga playing technique, etiquette, etc., and this looks like a good place to get started! Recently, I've been going online and watching various tutorial videos, and plan on taking personal lessons soon. I'll be checking posts on here regularly, and look forward to corresponding with all of you as I move forward with my new found passion!

Any advice or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!



Edited By Flashman on 1192650039

[Congadelica]

Welcome .
I got the Tomasito Cruz DVDs they are a good thing to start getting you into correct form when playing . If you have picked up any bad habits you will soon loose them with practice . Its like anything really practice practice and more everything comes toghether with paitience I was a newb earlier this year and Im cracking along now .

Marco

[Flashman]

Thanks, Congadelica. I'll look into those DVDs.

[afrocubarico]

Welcome aboard Flashman!
This is a great site to learn from and share ideas and suggestions with other percussionists from all over the world. Do look up some of the archived info here, I'm sure you'll come across some great interchange.

I have to echo Marco's words by recommending the Tomas Cruz Conga Method books/dvd. Start with volume one which will keep you busy for some time. Also, as one of our members/administrators, J.C. Conga recently stated, find a good teacher. I think that if you couple the info in the Tomas Cruz books along with personal instruction from someone who has the patience/skills to teach, you'll progress very quickly.

Of course, as with anything else, make this a study. Learn the history of tumbadoras, the pioneers, the music, and practice, practice, practice. Study the music of the past and present masters; Mongo Santamaria, Carlos "Patato" Valdes, Ray Barretto, Giovanni Hidalgo, etc., etc.. You may not be able to play like these giants for some time but it'll help motivate you as well as help you set personal goals on how to create your own style.

Most of all, have fun dude! Get total enjoyment out of creating melody and rthym with your bare hands. Baya!

afrocubarico

[pavloconga]

Hi,
Welcome to Congaboard, there's a wealth of knowledge, experience and points of view here.

Sounds like you're a natural from what you describe, so keep studying, practising and of course have fun.
cheers
Pavlo

[hueroconguero]

depending upon your level of "beginner-ness" I would recommend Bobby Sanabria's technique for conga. He has 3 (that I know of ) levels/vhs movies, starting with proper hand technique, alignment with clave, playing on one drum....to techniques/patterns on 2 and 3 drums (on the third vhs). Even after playing for years, I still pop them in and review my technique/patterns. huero

[burke]

Second the Bobby Sanabria suggestion. I've also been playing for years and do the same thing.

Also - once you feel comfy with tumbao and other mainstay patterns work on lining them up with clave (in fact work on clave!! - a pair of sticks cost a lot less than drums). I waited way to long to focus on this aspect of playing

[burke]

One more thing...alot of the guys on this forum are pros and as such they practice hours a day. Many (maybe most) of us are dedicated amateurs who maybe get the odd gig or have a hobby band but have other careers.

It can be discouraging thinking that you have to play hours daily in order to get anywhere.

I think you can move along pretty smartly (never as fast as playing hours) playing 1/2 hour to an hour a day if you focus right (the "Effortless Mastery" school of thought) with a longer session or two per week.

I look at it like exercise. I used to start and abandon going workouts over and over because I thought five times week for an hour or two was what I had to do. Then I had a revelation and decided to take the internal pressure off and aim way lower (three times for a half hour). The result was I started that 10 years ago and never stopped - sometimes I do the minimum and feel great - sometimes I way more and feel extra great.

I look at practice the same way.

ps I often miss days and forgive myself.

[Flashman]

Thanks so much for all of the input so far. It is much appreciated.

Keep it coming!