CONGA CAMP - Study with Johnny Conga

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Re: CONGA CAMP - Study with Johnny Conga

Postby JohnnyConga » Fri May 18, 2012 12:33 am

Latest Online student of the Conga drum from Chicago, Miguel Velasquez..
Miguel Velazquez-Chicago May 2012.jpg
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Re: CONGA CAMP - Study with Johnny Conga

Postby JohnnyConga » Sun May 20, 2012 4:44 am

Latest Online student of the drum from Chelan WA Gene Starcher-May 2012

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Re: CONGA CAMP - Study with Johnny Conga

Postby JohnnyConga » Sun May 20, 2012 5:36 pm

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Re: CONGA CAMP - Study with Johnny Conga

Postby JohnnyConga » Mon May 21, 2012 3:16 am

The review from Conga Intensive attendee Wayne Sinclair, London England...

Conga Intensive Review

I have just returned a few week ago from the 5 day intensive conga session with JC and am happy to provide some feedback on the experience.

I had been learning for about a year and was able to learn how to play some rhythms either from a teacher or other instruction led material, but felt I lacked a good solid foundation of fundamental technique and sound. I signed up for the intensive to try and get some inspiration and set me on the right direction. I could not find any other similar experience being offered anywhere else to provide concentrated attention with a professional who can teach as well as play . JC asked me to send him a brief demo of me playing some basic rhythms so he could get an idea of what to focus on well before I arrived. During the week I acquired an informed critique of my overall technique and sound and JC pointed out and corrected some bad habits which would have limited any further progression. We started with a wide variety of time efficient exercises which cover effective use of the five points of the hand method, exercises to develop good sound and exercises to develop hand movement on multiple drums. These methods are designed to be worked on and implemented as part of the ongoing learning process. However, JC used his in depth knowledge and experience built up over decades to focus on critical and time efficient exercises, saving potentially years of frustration when using unproductive practice routines. We also covered a number of rhythms including some great sounding tumbaos based on Guaguanco rhythms and those developed by JCs mentor, Mongo Santamaria. During the classes, JC gave me a few stunning demonstrations by playing the drums over some of Mongos tracks and it was motivating to see the drums being played in that way.

A highlight was going to see JC rehearsing for a gig with a local band in the living room of a band members home in a quiet suburban Seattle neighbourhood. The living room was packed with three trombonists, a timbalero, a base guitarist, a vibraphonist, a bongo player and JC on congas and they certainly woke up the neighbours on that Sunday lunchtime. JC provided access to his huge music CD and vinyl album collection and hand picked many to play for demonstration and provide some interesting insight into the artists in the industry and how the music has developed over the decades. There was planty of interesting videos from music and dance in Cuba and lots of reading material on conga drumming and afro cuban music to keep me occcupied.

All in all, it was a totally rewarding iimmersion experience mainly driven by JC enthusiasm and genuine interest to impart knowledge combined with a comprehensive teaching ability to develop others on the drum. I would highly recommend it for anyone who has been thinking of giving it a go. There was no messing about and it was the real deal and intensive means intensive. I will continue to implement what I learned during the week and would certainly want to return later in the year and begin to develop other aspects of conga playing.

Thanks JC
Wayne Sinclair London England
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Re: CONGA CAMP - Study with Johnny Conga

Postby JohnnyConga » Thu May 24, 2012 1:29 am

Latest Conga Intensive attendee from Italy via Amsterdam Daniele Besana...he will also leave his review of his time with me

https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-as ... 2927_n.jpg
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Re: CONGA CAMP - Study with Johnny Conga

Postby JohnnyConga » Thu May 24, 2012 1:35 am

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Re: CONGA CAMP - Study with Johnny Conga

Postby JohnnyConga » Fri May 25, 2012 6:29 pm

What I teach....
Sound development-utilizing the 5 parts of the hand Heel/Palm/Fulcrum/Inner knuckles/and Tips of fingers
Hand exercises which include my S.T.O.M.P method-Slap Tone Open Muffle Palm
Rudimentary hand drumming and approaches on Conga drum
One conga drum, 2 conga drums, 3 conga drums
Styles in Mambo, Rumba, Salsa, Son, Latin Jazz and Folkloric
Counting and keeping time
Stick control for timbales
Baqueteo patterns -Cascara(shell)of the timbal and cowbell patterns in clave
Abanico- 7 stroke and 9 stroke rolls
Styles on timbales-Danzon, Son, Mambo, Rumba, Salsa, Cha Cha Cha, Bolero
Reading and writing for Latin percussion
Latin Rhythm Theory
Ensemble performance
The Clave & pulse
6/8 Clave
Son Clave
Rumba Clave
The Clave today
Phrasing with the Clave
Variations on the Clave
Polyrhythms in Cuban Music

Cuban and Caribbean Rhythms taught are:

Bolero-5 variations
Caballo(Horse rhythm)-with variations
Danzon
Yambu
Guaguanco-6 variations
Rumba-with variations-columbia/abierto(open) 2Conga drums/one drum/New York street style rumba
Abakua-one drum pattern to 3 drum patterns
Plena(Puerto Rico)
Bomba
Bomba Sica
Bomba Yuba
Bambiche
Merengue(Domincan Republic)
Mozambique-old school/new school variations
Cumbia(Columbia)-with variations on one drum to 3 drums
Bembe(Afro) variations
Conga Comparsa(Carnival drumming) with variations
Changui
Calypso(Trinidad) one to 3 conga drums with variations
Bossa Nova(Brasil) with variations from one to 3 conga drums
Afro-Samba(Brasil)
Baion(Brasil)
Samba on 2 to 3 conga drums
Songo with 9 variations
Pilon on 3 congas
Iyesa with variations
6/8 basic one conga drum to 3 conga drums
Guarapachangeo with variations from 2 drums to 5
Ritmo Pa Ca
Dengue
Jala Jala
Tumbaos(basic rhythmic conga patterns for Latin Dance music) with many variations
Chaonda-
6/8 Bell patterns on conga drum with variations
Mongo Santamarias tumbaos and rhythmic approaches
Mongos Merengue
Mongos Afro Blue with variations
And many more styles R&B-Jazz-Latin Jazz-Pop-Funk….

"Cognitive Discovery" with the Drum: A new way of learning how to use your brain in ways to develop your intake of information and how it's interpreted on the Conga drum.
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Re: CONGA CAMP - Study with Johnny Conga

Postby boyraleigh » Fri May 25, 2012 10:45 pm

Johnny Conga is a great asset to Seattle. He's so knowledgeable, along with being a very nice guy. He just knows everything. I got so much from my 3 hour lesson to last me years and years of practice. I wished I lived in Seattle so I could see Johnny regularly. One of my favorite parts was the hang, and the talking and breaking things down. Such a nice guy! Thanks JC!
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Re: CONGA CAMP - Study with Johnny Conga

Postby JohnnyConga » Sat Jun 02, 2012 2:25 am

Latest critique from my last Conga Intensive with Daniele Besana from Italy...

After 2 years talking by e-mail with JC, I finally had chance to meet
him and join a 3 days intensive Conga Camp in Seattle!!

What a GREAT experience!

We all know that a great player is not necessary a great teacher, right?
Well, JC is not only a great player AND a great teacher, he's also a
great guy with so much passion and knowledge on Congas and Latin music
that he could inspire to play even a horse (yeah, pretty interesting
hands!)

Going to a Conga Camp is not "only" about taking Conga lessons.
It's a serious full-immersion, living for 3 days side-by-side with a
real expert and patience teacher, in a basement full of congas, music
instruments, old LPs, CDs, videos of Cuban rumba and books about music
to keep you busy days and nights.

I've been "playing" congas since 3 years now, and I really felt like I
needed to fix my technique and get working towards the next level.
I sent JC a video from the last performance I did here in Amsterdam
with my band and his critique was merciless but very honest and
clear.... I had A LOT of work to do!

We started the 3 days with the foundations - going through the
different tones with a focus on technique and sound development.
I've learn about the five points of the hand, how to balance the
hands, and how to practice to make the most out of the time I exercise
on the drum.
JC filled in 6 papers of exercises to develop both sound and hands
movement, to be integrated in my practice routine.

We moved on to a great number of rhythms, from different Tumbao
variations to Guaguancó, Pilon, Mozambique, Yambu, Bambiche, Bomba,
Plena, Cumbia.... so many! Don't forget your camera, JC was recording
every rhythm for me so I can work on them later on.

We also played along with the music or the great Mongo Santamaria
(JC's favorite!) and Ray Barretto, that was good practice as well as
good fun.
JC played too and it was amazing to see what he could do on Congas!


I DEFINITELY recommend planning to attend a JC Conga Camp, what you
learn there is PRICELESS.
it's an amazing experience and what you learn in few days will keep
you inspired & busy improving for a very loooong time!


Many thanks JC... you're THE MAN!

Daniele, from WWW.PERCUSSIONCONGA.COM chek out Daniele's website!...
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Re: CONGA CAMP - Study with Johnny Conga

Postby JohnnyConga » Sat Jun 02, 2012 3:08 am

Daniel and ME May 2012 Seatle WA.jpg
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Re: CONGA CAMP - Study with Johnny Conga

Postby JohnnyConga » Tue Jun 12, 2012 3:07 am

A nice exercise for both hands(right hand lead, then left hand lead) to try out ....listen to the underlying rhythm of what Im playing as well...start out slow then work for speed...

http://youtu.be/KyMnyi2goAE
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Re: CONGA CAMP - Study with Johnny Conga

Postby JohnnyConga » Thu Jun 21, 2012 6:44 pm

I am offering ONLINE CONGA DRUM LESSONS!!....this Works!....all that is needed is webcam/microphone/congas and desire!...learning in the comfort of your own home and being taught by a professional...my students come from around the world to learn my methodology and techniques...I can take you where you want to go on the drum-beginner to intermediate. I work around your schedule.....message me privately...I look forward to helping you on your road with the drum...Tks!...Johnny Conga
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Re: CONGA CAMP - Study with Johnny Conga

Postby JohnnyConga » Sat Jun 23, 2012 7:08 pm

Recent critique from Online student John DiNovo of Dallas TX..

"I've had 6 hours of lessons with JC so far all I can say is IT WORKS! I was a little skeptical on the online thing but JC is so organized and so knowledgeable about how to teach, learn and play the drum that he can make corrections and suggestions that modify your sound and playing style right away. JC knows how to teach..period. He knows how to impart the skill he's developed over the years and is dedicated to sharing his knowledge. He is very structured, gives specific skill building exercises, and helps you climb the mountain of new learning. All the student needs to do is like to play the drum, listen to JC and follow his instruction, and practice. Worth every penny! I can't imagine changing at this point..John D. Dallas
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Re: CONGA CAMP - Study with Johnny Conga

Postby JohnnyConga » Thu Jun 28, 2012 5:21 pm

Any Newbies here that are looking for Conga mentoring?...I am available ONLINE to help and teach you...email me privately at johnnyconga@hotmail.com...Thank you/Gracias...Johnny Conga
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Re: CONGA CAMP - Study with Johnny Conga

Postby JohnnyConga » Fri Jun 29, 2012 7:33 pm

New Online Conga student from England Ashley Sagar...
A
ASHLEY SAGAR FROM ENGLAND JUNE 2012.jpg
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