The Cha-Cha

[Toby]

Hello.

I was hoping that someone could tell me how to do the cha-cha on one hand (accents and on which drum) whilst i am playing the cabasa on the other?

Thank You

[Sakuntu]

I'm not too familiar with any cabasa patterns for Chachacha. The traditional ensemble for Chachacha would be congas, timbales (chacha bell) and guiro. However to give you something to work with, I'd play the tumbao with my left hand (tapao, slaps, opens -everything with my left hand), and then i'd probably play the guiro pattern on the cabasa (this is assuming that you have a cabasa holder and your just twisting the handle. ( 1 2 & 3 4 & 1..etc.) try it out and see if it works for you. Usually if I have to play 2 parts for Chachacha, I play the chacha bell with my right hand and the tumbao on the congas with my left. Hope this helps.

[Toby]

Thanks Sakunta. I have played the Cha-Cha on one hand with my other on the cabasa before, but I have forgotten how to do it. You reply is quite exciting as far as witnessing a new way of producing the cha-cha feel.

If anyone else has any other ideas or methods please post.

[zaragenca]

Yes,the Cabaza could be played in Cha-Cha,usully following the Guiro/Pattern.Dr. Zaragemca