Tomas Cruz Conga Method Vol 3 Timba - Anyone familiar with this book/DVD set?

[Jongo]

Hey Homies, I don't have a conga instructor anymore so I have been working on my own with books and CD's and I came across this book. I am not familiar with Tomas Cruz or his book so I was hoping maybe somebody could fill me in. If you have a copy or saw it in the bookstore or something I would like to get some feedback. Thanks
Juan

[Isaac]

The series of 3 books & DVDs is an entire system of
conga learning - basically how they teach in Cuba
today at the ENA (escuela Nacional del Arte) in Havana.
This is CHanguito's method as passed on to Tomas.
It'll emphasize good independance, lots of Marcha exercises
and the correct way to play many rhythms.
Vol. 1 is still helpful even if you've played for quite a while.
Vol. 2 teaches Abacua, Guaguanco, Mozambique, Pilon, & more
Vol 3. focuses on Timba and variations of it.
He now play with Arturo Sandoval, Roberto Torres and
sincel leaving Cuba (he played with the Timba group- Bamboleo )
he's quickly become an in-demand player in Miami.
I'm sure it'll be very helpful.
~ ISAAC

I carry them along with my mule skins & JCR bells.
~ ISAAC
funkytradition@yahoo.com

[Jongo]

So Isaac have you read and used these instructional books or do you just sell them? Have you worked through them and played the different exercises and stuff.

[Isaac]

Hey Jongo, send
me your email and I''ll send you some sample
pages out of the Tomas Cruz books. I can't show you
the DVD unfortunately...but this guys know his stuff
and explains it well. I hope to get some time and do
some work with these books.

Isaac
funkytradition@yahoo.com

[Isaac]

Sample page from Tomas Cruz Conga Method Vol. 3
(Book / CD )

available from Isaac

funkytradition@yahoo.com

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... mple_1.jpg

[Jongo]

So I purchased the Tomas Cruz Conga Method Vol 3 at a store while I was on vacation in San Francisco. I usually order stuff like that through Isaac but this was an impulse buy. I have just started with the book but so far I am really enjoying it. Very cool funky Timba patterns and the DVD shows Tomas playing so you can see his hands and hear the pattern. Some of the stuff is challenging but it is not something that you cannot pick up with a little effort. No traditional rhythms on Vol 3 all Timba, some based on traditional rhythms but in a Timba mode. Very cool

[pcastag]

Yeah, I've got it and I dig it too!!!!
PC

[ABAKUA]

I have all 3 DVD's, great stuff on there. Re-learnt alot of things and saw stuff I'd never seen before. Good workout.

[ABAKUA]

*waits for Johnny's reply*


I know brother....

I am def ready to work out with your new DVD!!

Cant wait.

[JohnnyConga]

The Tomas Cruz method is a method of 6 different teachers he had inlcuding Changuito in Cuba, since the age of 9....they are very in depth, I am still working on some of the stuff he does ..IT TAKES A LOT OF PATIENCE...to go thru any of his DVD,s. I can last about an hour of what he does and then ...next!...I too have seen approaches i have never seen before and Ive been playing a very long time...start with the first one and get thru that completely before u move on to the next one .....u are talking years to Master what he shows...like it took him to learn over many years and doing drills 10 hours a day...(confirmed from a student of mine just back from Cuba) 4 hours of drills in the morning and 6 in the afternoon 6 days a week ...Oh don't WE Wish!....How many hours can u do a drill for? I challenge anyone here to be able to HOLD a single stroke roll for 2 minutes, with energy and speed...try that on for size as a "drill"....."JC" Johnny Conga....

[pcastag]

Give me a pair of sticks!
LOL
PC :laugh:

PS, i only have book three. Would you suggest getting book one as well for the drills?
PC



Edited By pcastag on 1148404909

[tamboricua]

Congaforum,

I might suggest to also get Paulito's FG- "Con la Conciencia Tranquila", in order to hear in context all those concepts explained in Tomasito's Conga Method Volume III. Con la Conciencia Tranquila is considered by many one of the greatest Cuban Timba album ever recorded.

Saludos,

Jorge Ginorio



Edited By tamboricua on 1148415627

[pcastag]

Yes definitley , you can hear many of the patterns from the book on that disc. While I personally don't agree it's the greatest, it is pretty good. Azucar Negra's andar andando gets my vote for best timba album. incredible album, not as well knowm as bamboleo y Charanga Habanera. Last time I was in Cuba the hottest group was pupi y los que son son.
Pc

[tamboricua]

Con la Conciencia Tranquila is considered by many one of the greatest Cuban Timba album ever recorded.

I knew this was coming!

If you notice I didn't say "The greatest", but instead "one of the greatest".

Actually Volume III is an analisis of Tomasito's conga playing on the above mentioned "Con la Conciencia Tranquila" album. His excellent performance was the main inspiration and the reason those three books exist today, not the other way around!

Saludos,

Jorge Ginorio



Edited By tamboricua on 1148479809

[pcastag]

I understand, I didn't suggest you thought it was the greatest. It is definitley considered by many to be the quintessential timba album. I just don't like his vocal stylings.
Are you familiar with volume I? would you suggest it for the drills?
PC