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Guagua patterns

Posted:
Thu Apr 07, 2011 10:36 pm
by vasikgreif
Hi, is there any difference in use between the two guagua guaguanco patterns? Is one used in some situation and the other in another?
x.xx.x.x|x.x.xx.x
xx.xxx.x|x.x.xx.x
Re: Guagua patterns

Posted:
Fri Apr 08, 2011 12:37 am
by windhorse
I was originally taught to think of the second pattern as mostly a slower Yambu pattern, and the first for a Guaguanco.. But, most of the group that plays in Humboldt seems to prefer that second pattern at all speeds... Though there are others like myself who prefer that first pattern and don't get yelled at,, as if really no-one cares..
Obviously most of the descarga you hear from most of the ripping groups like Los Munequitos use the first pattern on Guaguanco.. So, it seems to echo what I had been taught.
But, I'm left dumfounded..,,, curious what others say to this one.. Especially since, to this day, I have real trouble playing the second fuller pattern at high speeds..
Re: Guagua patterns

Posted:
Fri Apr 08, 2011 1:08 am
by bongosnotbombs
Carlos Aldama taught us a yambu guagua pattern I really like and play for yambu; it's basically a simplified version of the first guagua pattern It fits a yambu pretty well as it's not quite as busy as the guaguanco versions.
X-XX-X-X|X-X-X-X-
usually we play the first one around here, but the second one is also played sometimes. I think the second one is a little harder to swing, because maybe the pattern is a little more square, hitting all the downbeats like that.
Re: Guagua patterns

Posted:
Fri Apr 08, 2011 1:59 am
by ABAKUA
Having returned recently from Cuba, it is played freely as seen fit. Several variations to the pattern, including mild improvisations within, including use of cowbell.
Re: Guagua patterns

Posted:
Fri Apr 08, 2011 8:53 pm
by pcastag
From what I've heard and seen the first pattern originally was a Havana style while the second was more common in Matanzas, it lines up w/ the chapeo really nice. today anything goes sooo.
PC
Re: Guagua patterns

Posted:
Sat Apr 09, 2011 5:16 am
by vasikgreif
Thanks for the replies. Abacua, would you share some of the variations here?