You play congas...but do you know how to dance?

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You play congas...but do you know how to dance?

Postby OLSONGO » Sun Jul 26, 2009 1:05 am

We all in here come and discuss what ever is there to know about the conga drums,( conga place ) the technique, the craftsmanship in what it is to make one.. and what such an instrument... endless creativity, the endless amounts of rhythms that there can be, there is even a dance named after the beloved drum......BUT can you dance it ?? :shock:
There has always been the communication of the both, there are those accents and stepping sounds that we play with the conga and the dancer takes advantage of that and magnifies the moment... and why the importance in knowing how to dance some of this rhythms as conga player ? Like the rumba, guaguanco, salsa, merengue, cumbia, samba etc...
Because if you CAN't dance it , is difficult to interpret the swing that the dancer wants. Y para los latinos si no lo sabes bailar...no te llevas la mamacita :D

Paz
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Re: You play congas...but do you know how to dance?

Postby ABAKUA » Sun Jul 26, 2009 4:04 am

I was actually a salsa dancer before I started with the instrument! I own close to 10 or 12 Salsa dancing trophies from my days in clearing the dance floor! :lol: :oops:
Now I just dance for the fun of it with my lady, in between sets at one of my gigs or one of hers (she's a singer for a few Salsa/Timba bands as well as her own RnB project).
I also studied rumba guaguanco with one of the former dancers of Yoruba Andabo who now lives here, as well as former principal dancers from folkloric group "7 Potencias" (Havana, Cuba) & Lady Salsa (Havana Cuba, Europe) international touring show, who now live here. Ive also had some study in Rumba Columbia.
I rarely find myself dancing in a rumba however, as Im always already on one of the drums, or called onto one of the drums. :lol:
I love the drum and its music and all it represents. 8)
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Re: You play congas...but do you know how to dance?

Postby juancho » Sun Jul 26, 2009 2:52 pm

Viejo Olsongo, I agree with what you are saying. I learned to dance first watching my cuchos,tias,tios dancing the charangas,pachangas, boogaloos,cumbias and of course salsa. I began later no just to dance but to listen to the instruments and coming out with different types of bailes. Attached is a couple of videos in english and spanish that I believe it goes along with this topic. Hope you enjoy them and learn from them. Que viva el festival Colombiano !!!!
God is good !!!
juancho
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LWxIqnbxWQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOnZHtla59Y
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Re: You play congas...but do you know how to dance?

Postby caballoballo » Tue Aug 04, 2009 11:25 am

Vaya this is a good topic, I have always been a Salsa dancer on 2, N.Y or PuertoRican style. Yes I agreed a 100% that musician should learn how to Dance ( salsa music speaking ) before they take an instrument been percussion or wind. Tito Puente was a dancer and in an interview he said that he always thought about the dancer before he made an arrangement. If musician don't understant the dancer mind, they will play a tune for themselves may be of too fast tempo or complicated for the dancers. Some music sound nice to the ear but may not be suitable to dance. You need to know what swings and what not . Dancers use the clave to keep in sync with the music, if the clave jumps (se cruza) you see that the dancers flow is against the music.

To me been a dancer have made me a better musician by undertanding what the dancer needs to add fire to his swing.
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Re: You play congas...but do you know how to dance?

Postby Quinto Governor II » Wed Aug 05, 2009 1:59 am

I remember reading a similar thread, in some other forum years ago, about American trap drummers, and the popular notion was that most don't dance. If this is true, it is a strange phenomenon. They certainly have the rhythm in thier feet. I also recall an African Djembe instructor saying a drummer should be able to dance. It certainly could be beneficial, but not sure if I buy into the totality of that sentiment. Now Deejays! that's another story. Some of the music some of them play, make me wonder if they have ever danced in thier life - playing songs that changes to a completely different rhythm, not to mention the number songs they play of the Salsa Romantica style that has no mambo section at all.
I think musicians can feel dances vibrations, and interpret that in their music, without being a dancer. If its a give and take, does that mean the dancer has to be a musician?
Yambu
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Re: You play congas...but do you know how to dance?

Postby caballoballo » Wed Aug 05, 2009 6:40 pm

Quinto, Down here most of the Salsa Djs are dancers. We do not play the romantic or salsa monga type. That is forbiden because it has no flavor and like you said, many do not have a mambo written. That is the reason of why some of the singers from that era can not be heard on the radio and they opted to emigrate to South America where that type of music still appreciated by some. Down here Djs and Bands play classic salsa and we try to select the best from the lates recording. Also Bands try to record Salsa Dura type of music.

Last week I play as a Dj in the Puerto Rico Salsa Congress where was a pleasure to see so many dancers from around the world who come down here to compete and participate and of course dance to your music . The congress is something else. :lol:
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Re: You play congas...but do you know how to dance?

Postby CongaTick » Sun Aug 09, 2009 11:55 am

In answer to topic question: No.
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Re: You play congas...but do you know how to dance?

Postby windhorse » Sun Aug 09, 2009 4:48 pm

I've always had a rhythm in my bones, and definitely danced up a storm as a young'un,, but not now.. :(
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Re: You play congas...but do you know how to dance?

Postby nobleway » Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:59 am

Olsongo I love to dance man!

I took my first salsa lesson in October of '06 and I've been steady in the DC salsa scene since. I've taken lots and lots of classes in Cuban style salsa. While I do rueda my biggest love is couples' casino and I go dancing 2 or 3 nights a week at different spots in the city and occasionally going to events in MD or northern VA. It was my love of dancing and growing appreciation for the music that drew to me to think about learning how to play the congas about a year ago.

Peace!
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Re: You play congas...but do you know how to dance?

Postby niallgregory » Wed Dec 16, 2009 11:40 am

I was a break dancer when i was a kid and have a great appreciation for a good dancer . But tbh the salsa dance scene in Ireland is a crock of shit :oops: There is no real passion for the music , and lots of the teachers seem to be charlatans . Did some rumba columbia classes in havana which turned into a real laugh :mrgreen: We looked a right mess trying to pull off a fairly simple routine ! That being said i do study the steps of all the folkloric dances and rumba etc .I think its very important if your want to play as authentic as possible to know the steps and how the dance is executed . Tried some capoeira years ago also but couldnt keep it up because of a dodgy back !
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