Thomas Altmann wrote:
So, how did Sandy play these parts? Did he tell you anything on this subject? Can the parts be played either way? Did he use "skin-on-skin" execution only for the class? Or is there a way to play your Mula and Caja patterns with a stick (or two?)?
Thomas,
Good instincts, man.
The caja parts for both the meta and agwe can be played with sticks or hands, I did ask him that. I am not sure about the mula, my guess is probably. Our class is almost always demonstrated skin on skin, we do get statements that certain parts can also be played with sticks. Recently I've been asking him to demonstrate with sticks as well, like a version of Palo we did recently. Mainly not everyone brings sticks to class so it is usually demonstrated skin on skin.
One thing I've learnt from Sandy's approach to rhythms is he is much more pragmatic than dogmatic. He rarely says a rhythm can only be played a certain way, like this bembe for example. He is a very fluid and creative musician, however he comes from a very authentic and traditional background.