songo - what is the best way to learn songo

[kunta150]

Greetings, Does any one have a good technique that would help me. I am trying to play songo, in three drums? i just started playing with three drumms. Kunta One Love

[CongaMan]

Hi Kunta,
this is a 3 drums songo pattern...



Take a look at the CongaBook: click here

Bye

[REQUINTOFUNK]

LISTEN,LISTEN,AND LISTEN.............. LOS VAN VAN,BATACUMBELE(WHERE GIOVANNI IS PLAYING) ARE GREAT FOR THE EAR AND MIND AND SOUL.................THESE WERE MY TEACHERS AND INFLUENCES TO LEARNING SONGO.............HOPE THIS HELPS

[vaconguero]

a question, guys -

First, I need to listen to more songo, no question about it.

I the songo tunes that I have heard, though, where Changuito's "standard" pattern is being used, it seems to share some of the sensibility of riding quinto over guaguanco on the high drum, with the 4+ of the low drum functioning as salidor. Is there merit to this approach? Does anyone know details of songo's conception? It also struck me that the timbalero's woodblock pattern echoes the slaps of the "standard" 2-drum guaguanco pattern, and that the bass drum hits the two segundo tones and the palm on the 3-side (this seems like it could be from comparsa instead, though). Any info, comments, tips for listening? I'd appreciate anything.

Lee

I'll attach the patterns I'm talking about as a notepad file, so they line up correctly.

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... arison.rtf

[Johnny Conga]

Another cat to listen to from his early records on playing Songo would be Daniel Ponce. He plays it on 5 congas. I know cause I saw him do it. Songo created by Changuito is a combination pattern of guaguanco and quinto riffs all put together. Actually Songo is really played kinda differently by anybody who sits down to play it , but their way. It is a bit difficult to put into words, you really have to see it done in front of you. Or pick up Changuito's video the History of Songo....my 2 congas.....JC JOHNNY CONGA.............. :;):

[Raymond]

JC is right. Songo is done so different by so many people. For me, sometimes it has a clave rumba feel. Sometimes it feels straight up clave. Lots of latin jazz is in songo because of the swing it has. It has remained a "popular" rhythm because of the versatility to play with it.

I've heard that songo has its roots from changui combined with guaguanco. Now with Timba, is hard sometimes to differiantiate between them. A good group to listen to that mixes songo and Puerto Rico plena is TRUCO Y ZAPEROKO. (They were just nominated for the Grammy). If you could get a hold of one of their albums, specially the latest one, you will notice the variations in the feel of the songo beats in some of their songs mixed with plena and salsa. Good example to listen how far songo has gone since many Cuban bands are now doing Timba instead of songo or is it songo with a timba feel....hard to tell for me.

Saludos.

[vaconguero]

I appreciate the help and pointers, guys - have a great day

Lee

[zaragemca]

It is true what it is said about differents ways to play,at one point(after the Songo came out),differents Bands like,La Ritmo Oriental,Los Reyes 73,Los Bocucos,Grupo Impacto,etc., were developing their own playing styles of Songo.It have to be taking into account the Bass and the specific grooving pattern of the Drum-Set.I would not even try to set a conga pattern for Songo,before listening the Bass and the Drum-Set.That interaction is what create the spicy effect. :;):



Edited By zaragemca on 1085585828