CONGA CAMP - Study with Johnny Conga

[dabesa]

Hey JC!
is there a calendar of upcoming CC?

Thanks!

[JohnnyConga]

For you Newbies on the Drum I am booking now for this year. It is a 'one on one' learning experience(I just call it a Camp)...and it is an 'Intensive".. Please look at the prior reviews and posts on what I offer. You can email me privetly at johnnyconga@hotmail.com and Let's do it!... here is a review from Robert from Australia, that spent a week with me here in Seattle,Washington, where I live now.

CONGA INTENSIVE- Study with Johnny Conga

Postby afrocubarico » Mon Dec 07, 2009 11:56 am
In October 2008 I spent a very special time, just over a week as it turned out, with a true master of the conga drum and definitely the most knowledgeable person I have met on afro-caribbean music and history. I am writing about Johnny Conga of Seattle WA. My musical experience comes out of playing guitar in R&R bands in the late 60s and early 70s. I decided to learn hand drumming about 6 years back and stated with djembe and conga but was drawn more to the latter for its greater musical subtlety. I have had two drum teachers in my home town of Canberra Australia and I spent about two years with each of them. They were both proficient drummers and had achieved a high level of capability but something was missing. I couldn't really define what. Not until I took the chance to take JCs' live in conga intensive.

I first heard of JC on a conga internet forum and when I saw his curriculum and offer to come and have a live in experience with him I thought this was going to be the next best thing to being in Cuba on a workshop. I was wrong! It was better. What I experienced was sensory and intellectual overload with history, music theory and practical aspects. I had been on vacation visiting Europe and Canada for two months and hadn't really done any drumming for a while so the physical side was really heavy going and I hit the wall a few times but managed to come through with JCs encouragement.

The curriculum JC offers is very thorough and at first I thought I was going to be able to get right through it. I mean this was over 300 hours of training and practice. However, this didn't happen for me and it would depend on how quick you learn and prior experience whether anyone could get through it. This topic and instrument is so complex that you can only go as far as you can physically and intellectually. JCs experience is over 40 years and the curriculum proves it. While I did refine my style, speed and knowledge what set JC head and shoulders above my previous tutors was that he took the time to explain why things were played in a particular manner and how to get in the groove with afro-caribbean music even when it is far removed from the basic 4/4 rock and roll I grew up with. In fact it was a revelation when I learned why and how the clave is played in 2/3 and 3/2. Now this might be well known to many conga players but I had never heard it explained in such a clear manner, my previous tutors certainly didn't explain it, and yet it is so fundamental to playing this music.

I enjoyed many significant musical experiences with JC. One of the best was the exposure to latin music through listening to his CDs and LPs and having the songs and styles explained to me. I accompanied him on several gigs to see how a congero fits in with a variety of musical styles and bands and this helped to define for me what kind of musical ensemble would best suit my style and temperament, not to mention my age!

Good tutors are hard to find, inspired and dedicated ones are even rarer. JC is a very talented and unrecognised musician and maestro. If you are a serious musician and want to learn any latin conga styles and percussion then he is the one you should try. For the most incredible one on one experience thanks JC I learnt more in a week with you than in years with anyone else. And you know what? I will be back to learn what I couldn't absorb or pick up the first week. Value for money it was excellent, knowledge it was encyclopaedic, musically it was the most satisfying experience.
>
regards to Maggie
best wishes
Robert

[JohnnyConga]

My most recent CC/I attendee Ed Boas from Ohio...he will be sending his review/critique of his personal experience with me and I will post it here. 'JC" Johnny Conga

[JohnnyConga]

Here are two of my recent students of the drum..Steve Body on my right and Eric Salazar on my left...Steve had a rash on his hands, that's why he is wearing gloves....anyone else need a Conga Intensive ???.... "JC" Johnny Conga

[JohnnyConga]

Here is my next Conga Camp attendee..Al Robinson....who came to me back in the early 80's in Los Angeles and we have been friends ever since...he will be coming April 1st to the April the 6th...he is coming to learn new techniques,rhythms, and more.. I look forward to my Camp with him....anyone else?...."JC" Johnny Conga

[JohnnyConga]

Here is my latest Conga/Intensive attendee my buddy Al Robinson....he will review and critique his time with me,soon....here we are...Johnny Conga

[JohnnyConga]

This is one of my Newbies to the drum...Art Manjarres, via East L.A....nice guy, plays in his church...."JC" Johnny Conga

[JohnnyConga]

I am accepting anyone who is interested in attending my Conga Camp/Intensive..please read the posts that are here and see what i have to offer and reviews from former attendees...Please email me privately at johnnyconga@hotmail.com and Let's do it!..."JC" Johnny Conga

johnny-conga-in-wrf-300x204.jpg (20.84 KiB) Viewed 10307 times

[JohnnyConga]

Is anyone interested in attending my Conga Camp/Intensive?...I am accepting New attendees...email me privately and we'll go from there...Gracias/Thanks..."JC"

Johnny Conga.png (64.11 KiB) Viewed 10244 times

[JohnnyConga]

RHYTHMS:
1.Bolero 5 variations
2.Caballo with variations
3.Danzon
4.Yambu variations on conga drum/cajon
5.Guaguanco-6 variations
6.Rumba with variations/columbia/abierto 2 drums/one drum/NY street rumba
7.Abakua split hand style and one drum patterns
8.Plena split hand on congas
9.Bomba tradicional/Sica/Yuba/variations on 2 congas
10.Bambiche/Bambichao
11.Merengues with variations
12.Mozambique-New/Old skool
13.Cumbia with variations one drum and 2 drums
14.Bembe variations
15.Conga Comparsa with variations
16.Changui
17.Calypso
18.Bossa Nova with variations
19.Afro-Samba-and Samba on 2 congas
20.Songo with variatons-Basico/Changuito's
21.Pilon with variation
22.Iyesa with variations
23.6/8 basic with variations 1 2 and 3 drums
24.Tumbao in 7/4
25.Guarapachangeo with variations and concepts(2 3 4 5 congas)
26.Ritmo Pa Ca
27.Dengue
28.Jala Jala
29.Mongos tumbao's
30.Mongos merengue
31.Mongos Afro Blue with variations
32.Tumbaos-1-3 drum variations
33.Orisa wth variations
34. La Clave-2/3 3/2 Son Clave- 3/2 2/3 Rumba Clave
35.Chaonda
36.6/8 bell patterns on Conga drum-short bell and long bell
37.Counting and tapping
38.Reading for percussion
39.Music and Rhythm theory

40.CongaRobics(tm) with
Neuro Linguistic Programming(Neuro-Linguistic Programming™ was specifically created in order to allow us to do magic by creating new ways of understanding how verbal and non-verbal communication affect the human brain. As such it presents us all with the opportunity to not only communicate better with others, but also learn how to gain more control over what we considered to be automatic functions of our own neurology.)

41."Play along" with the music/various styles
42.Technique/breathing and relaxing
43."Styles" pop/soul/jazz on conga drums
44.Sound Development
45.Ear training
46.Palo(split hand 2 congas)- newly added..
47.Timba patterns on 3 conga-newly added
48.Bongos/timbales
49.minor perc./cowbells/shekere/guagua parts
50.Rudimentary approach on congas- congadiddles, single stroke rolls, doubles/2 ways on the conga drum, flams, triplets
51.Rhythms in 5 7 and 9




Read more: http://www.myspace.com/jcjohnnyconga/blog#ixzz14oendszM

[JohnnyConga]

Ok all you beginners out there and intermediate players ...If you were ever looking to study with someone I am available for mentoring.This is a 'one on one' learning situation. Please read the other threads here on Congazine and see what i offer and the experience of others that have come thru me to learn..You won't find this anywhere in the U.S. Live in my home with me and learn in my CONGA DOJO...6 hours a day, room and food included, and I will help you find the cheapest flight to get here and will pick you up at the airport and take you back as well...This is an Intensive!...my former attendees have come from Australia,even Cuba, Russia, Curacao, NYCity, Florida,Texas and many other places...if your really serious about honing your technical skills and your rhythmic vocabulary, this is it!...for more info call 206 505 9097..or email me at johnnyconga@live.com ...Gracias/Thank you..Johnny Conga

[JohnnyConga]

Any 'newbies" here interested in my Conga drum Intensive? I now have what I am calling my "Conga Drum Dojo" now in the basement of the new house we moved into.More room, more drums, more music , new sofa bed... 3 day Intensives also available along with the 5 day. email me privately at johnnyconga@hotmail.com if interested...

[JohnnyConga]

Come and attend my Conga-Camp/Intensive..what is it you ask? It's where you come to my home in Seattle(private room and 2 meals a day included)for 'one on one' Mentoring, and I will teach you for 6 hours a day from 3 days up to 5 days. You will be able to video tape all lessons. I will help you find the cheapest flight and pick u up at the airport and take you back. What will you learn?
Sound development, technique, hand exercises, rudiments, rhythms, styles in Afro-Cuban to Pop on the conga drum. Counting, the Clave and more.What you will learn in 5 days will take at least 2 years for you to go through,if your a beginner, and intermediate player could have it all down in about 6 months. email me privately at johnnyconga2@hotmail.com....My attendees have come from around the world to learn my skills. My last attendee was Mr. Robert West of Brisbane Australia. Read more about it from others on the other pages here...

[JohnnyConga]

Johnny Conga’s Intensive Conga Training from Maria Medina Serafin

Set in the beautiful ever greenery of Burien, suburb of Seattle, I found the setting a conducive environment for continuing the development of my skills on conga drums.

Johnny Conga’s ‘Conga robics’ are unique exercises on three drums that helped my arm strength. Some of the drum exercises included the single and double 5-stroke, 7-stroke, and 9-strokes as well as rocking hand (heel and tip) exercises. These exercises help in developing muscle memory and independence that facilitates hand coordination for playing various drum voices. Also covered were muffles, slaps, tones and flams.

Some of the rhythm patterns covered included: tumbao in 7, variations of
the Cumbia, Pilon, and 6/8 Afro variations.

I must note that there are many excellent drummers out in the world but most are not able to teach what they know. The ability to teach comes from learning. Learning, in itself, is a process that never ends. As a teacher of percussion, Johnny Conga’s methods are clearly imparted to the student with patience. I began drumming on my own and in the parks with street drummers. The most important part of what I got from this intensive drumming week was clean drumming ‘technique’. Pure, simple, and safe technique which allows me to ‘wow’ folks when they see this diminutive woman play congas con gusto!

As a performer, I was treated to witnessing my teacher’s expertise drumming in such diverse settings as with a latin jazz and salsa bands, to playing congas, bongos and tambourine with a blues trio. Johnny Conga is an inspiring conguero and rumbero.

My drumming intensive with Johnny Conga has provided me with a lifetime of valuable knowledge that will extend from me to my students.

Gracias Maestro! ......

[JohnnyConga]

Hi everyone
I just want to say that Johnny's course is a great way to be immersed in the music and techniques of playing congas. I came all the way from Australia to do a week with JC and it was the best learning experience I ever had. If you want to improve your standards and techniques This is the one. JC is one very experienced musician.
Best wishes
Robert West