by Raymond » Sat Nov 12, 2005 4:35 pm
The exercise your instructor is giving you is a good one. However, you are suffering from what I called overexposure to theory and no fun with actual stuff. The tatata ta ta you are probably listening while you do the exercise has run its course. Keep on doing it because it will help you. Now, you need to start doing some actual independence tricks like playing cascara/bell and clave...Do it slowly until you start making sense in the sound.
Be aware that some movements or actions while you are playing timbale, like the standard timbalero hit with your left hand in the hembra drum that sounds and coincides with the sound of the slap of the conga, is another thing that deals with independence but eventually becomes second nature.
You could invent new things yourself to try to reach independence. Don't wait to be instructed do it yourself.
I hope this helps!
Saludos!