Help needed, please!

[Redeye]

Hi

Hopefully someone can help me out. I have been studying the congas for just under a year and have been trying to learn as many variations of the tumbao as possible. I've been learning from a couple of books and clips off the internet including here on congaplace.

I found this clip of Giovanni, http://www.lpmusic.com/Play_Like_A_Pro/Tips/giovanni.html from another site which I found very useful. The section on the clip between 40secs and 56secs is where my problem is. I would say I can play it fairly well, but I have trouble 'attaching' it to other tumbao rhythms. Is this actually a tumbao rhythm, and if so what is it called? If anyone could provide me with or point me in the direction of the score for this rhythm I would be very appreciative. I have tried writing the score for this myself hoping it would help me to understand how and where this rhythm can be placed, but without much success.

Also, apologies for adding to this, but what would you say are the factors for wanting / needing to upgrade to the next level of conga drums? I have a pair of Headliners (11" and a 9-3/4") so I'm using the conga as a 'tumba' and playing mainly on the quinto. (is this a good idea?) I find the 9-3/4" head quite small for my liking and was thinking of moving up to a conga and a tumbadora (10" & 11" or 11" &12"). Whilst in my local shop, I saw and tried out a full set of 'Schalloch Percussion Linea 420 drums (11", 12" and 13") and thought they were amazing. (Does anyone have any knowledge of these drums?)

Sorry, one last question! Does anyone know if Giovanni Hidalgo is left or right handed?



Thanks a lot in advance for any help I get, it is truly very much appreciated.






Simón.

[Tonio]

Redeye,
Gio is left handed. so its mirror image if you are right handed.
About upgrading tumbadoras. I started out with a 9-3/4 quinto and 11-1/2 conga (Gon Bops)-that was many many yeas ago. You can use a full size quinto and conga(11-1/2), its fine. It may be more for pop , jazz etc oriented but can be used for salsa, forklorico etc too. In general (Salsa most congueros use quinto and tumba-but its kinda a personal thing , and depends on style and genre-band issue.
I would suggest getting at least full size Lp and/or Meinl-Pearls mid to upper models. If you really are going for the long term go for the best you can. You will have to decide on the conga/tumba size.
I'll have to check out the clip.

Just me $.02, sure ther will be more opinions to come.

Good luck.

T



Edited By Tonio on 1106878698