Afro Blue - This is what I am hearing...

[tamboricua]

if that would be the case I would know it before any other percussionist out side of Cuba

Great Dr. Zaragemca,

Congratulations!!!!!!!

The cool thing overhere is that probably Jongo might be playing the correct "Afro Blue" conga part for his next gig.

Cordialmente,

Jorge Ginorio

[davidpenalosa]

Hi,
I’m coming to this late, but in regards to the abacuá influences in Mongo’s Afro-Blue. On the original version from the Afro Roots CD Willie Bobo played the ekón (abacuá ) bell part

XXXoXXXoXXXo

with brushes on the snare drum. Also, Mongo clearly quotes the bonkó (abacuá lead drum) at 3:11 – 3:15 in his solo. Mongo’s basic conga pattern has some loose similarities with the abacuá rhythm as played in Matanzas, but I’m not aware of any batá rhythm which could be loosely associated with Mongo’s pattern.

-David

[Jongo]

Hey Jorge, I agree the coolest part is that for a developing amateur musician like myself is that I am playing Afro-Blue! Even if it is not exactly perfect, or a little different than what Mongo did, I am playing it with my hands, my heart and my soul. Y eso es la cosa ma' chevere en todo el mundo!
Gracias Maestro!

[tamboricua]

Hey Jorge, I agree the coolest part is that for a developing amateur musician like myself is that I am playing Afro-Blue! Even if it is not exactly perfect, or a little different than what Mongo did, I am playing it with my hands, my heart and my soul. Y eso es la cosa ma' chevere en todo el mundo!

Greetings Jongo,

Glad to heard that, it's what counts overhere!

Best,

Jorge Ginorio



Edited By tamboricua on 1127175830

[onile]

Ache mis hermanos del tambor!
Alafia Tamboricua!
I love the "overhere" reference, isn't it great that we can have these incredible, and sometimes over the top discussions and disagreements, but maintain a level of civility?

¿Hay cariño o no hay cariño?:D

¡Hay Cariño!

Onile!

[JohnnyConga]

For those that want to see it as I see it..here is the basic Afro-Blue pattern on 2 congas

R=right L=left P=palm T=tumba C=conga PS-palm-shuffle
--1 +2+ 3 4 + 5+ 6
R LRL R R P RR P/S//repeat..R LRL R R P RR P/S
T CCCC T CC

now u can emphasize the left hand palm/drop with a half shuffle,which is what Mongo did,when he didn't play the pattern "split hand" on congas...he played it a few different ways....my 2 congas..."JC" Johnny Conga....

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... edited.jpg

[zaragemca]

There is not original reference in relation of Mongo trying to play Abakua patterns in Afro/Blue,and as I said before I played that song before,and the percussion patterns play by the congas,the use of Francisco Aguabella,and the use of the Chekere all is making reference to the Yorubas Patterns,also some of the names which Mongo have used in the recording of folkloric music, all are Yorubas names.The problems is that this was never discussed when Mongo was alive,there is always the waiting for somebody to be dead, for all this stuff to come out.Finally as I said before, it was done before Mongo did it,the use of congas for the articulation of this kind of Yorubas Patterns was done before in Cuba since 1936,so I even know where this is comming from....To brother Ralph, Abakua, is not a 'Palo/Congo' derivation,and Rumba, Conga have both,(Arara and Congo), but this have nothing to do with the Afro/Blue, Percutive Patterns. Dr Zaragemca



Edited By zaragemca on 1127348431

[JohnnyConga]

Believe me Mongo wasn't thinking "oh I think I'll play an Abakua pattern or something"!,....he just played it the way he "heard" it, believe me that I know. Mango tiene "el mano de Chango"..punto final...."JC" Johnny Conga...

[davidpenalosa]

Johnny,
I believe you. Afro-Blue strikes me as an amalgamation of various influences. It's an original. I fell in love with it the first time I heard it. I'm sure many of us in this e-group have played it at one time or another.

-David

[ralph]

if you look at the song list only six songs seem to be strictly lucumi or have titles that would would be a reference to the Yoruba, the other are abakua, conga, and rumba which is more of a palo/congo derivation....

Zaragemca,
you are correct Abakua is not a derivative of palo/congo, i was stating that rumba (specifically) is more of a derivation from palo/congo...yuka, mani, makuta etc....

abakua in itself stands on its own...
as far as "conga" is concerned i concur that it would have a strong congo presence, but i then i read somewhere that it was influenced by abakua cabildos as well...anyway



Edited By ralph on 1127310605

[JohnnyConga]

Another version for Afro-Blue....

1 + 2 + 3 4 + 5 + 6
R L R L R R L R L R
T T T T T T S S S S
L C C C C L C C C C // REPEAT.....

T=TONE S=SLAP L=LOW(TUMBA) C=CONGA....try it and see how it is with the slaps..."JC" Johnny Conga....

[rumbaman]

Hey how you guys doin' today . Hey JC how about for a south pall like me . I would have to double up ( and 3 ) right . If ni'm wrong let me see the pattern for the left handed player .

Thanks again , Rumbaman

[Rumberos]

Hello everyone

I am new here in this web site but have would like to ask a question please. The pattern of Afro Blue is there any music writing of that pattern?

Thanks

[ABAKUA]

Reas up a few posts from your own bro. ???

[JohnnyConga]

I actually will be showing 3 versions of how "Mongo" played his Afro-blue, on my New DVD....along with some of "Mongo's" tumbaos...."JC" Johnny Conga....