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 Please Note: This lesson
is from the book, "Giovanni
Hidalgo,
The Ultimate Conguero" by Sandy Feldstein Music.
To purchase the book, please visit: latinpercussion.biz
Set up
This lesson is based on playing one drum. The practice
drum of the main drum (usually the Quinto) is placed
between the legs. The lower pitched drums (Conga
and Tumbadora) should be placed to the right of the
main drum. Left-handed drummers should set up the
drums in reverse.
Hand Position
Keep your fingers together in a natural, relaxed
manner. There is a tendency to point your thumbs
out but this will reduce your speed and tone quality.
Keep your hand relaxed. Make your wrist relaxed
and flexible and make the main motion of your stroke
from your arm. You will rise off the drumhead about
5 to 6 inches. Remember your stroke should be strong
but relaxed.
Conga Sounds and How to Play Them
Open Tone (O)
Produced by striking the drum with the fingers of the hand from just in from
of the palm and immediately bouncing of the drumhead producing a full resonant
sound. |
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Bass Tone (B)
Produced by striking the drum with the palm of the hand in the center of the
drum and immediately bouncing off the drumhead. |
Closed Slap (S)
[Often referred to as just the slap.]
Produced by pressing against the drumhead with the left hand while playing the
slap with the right hand. The palm of the left hand should be completely down
in the normal position. |
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Open Slap (SO)
Produced by allowing the fingers to bound off the drumhead immediately after
it is struck. This produces a slap sound but with a broad ringing sound. |
Muffled Stroke
(+)
[Sometimes indicated by mf] |
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Playing the Basic Strokes
 This RealAudio sound clip demonstrations play each
line one time. You should first listen to the exercise
and then try to duplicate the correct sounds. You
should repeat each line many times and gradually
increase the tempo.
The above notation is also available in PDF format.
Please Note: This lesson is from the book, "Giovanni
Hidalgo, The Ultimate Conguero" by Sandy Feldstein
Music. To purchase the book, please visit: latinpercussion.biz
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