Solo

[Tonio]

Hi all,
Well I went to rehearsal last night with my Gringo Salsa band. I call it that because we have a trap drummer.
We practiced No Vale la Pena-nice tune. Also we practiced
Mi Tierra. Its a Bomba if anyone did not know. There is a mambo section, then a timbale solo etc. So the drummer asked
if I could take the solo. I originally said, hmm kinda hard to do a solo on congas like timbales. so he tried it but the bass, and keys could not keep up. So I'm thinking maybe I should take the solo, just so the drummer could keep everyone in time.
So my question is, should i imitate the timbale solo or should I just give it a appropriate conga solo?

What do you think?

Tony

[Simon B]

That's a really interesting question. In terms of the 'language' you hear familiar riffs cross over from bongos to congas to timbales - though each instrument has many of its own expressions of course. You could do a conga solo that the conga drum specialised in - lots of conga ground work - heel-toe slap riffs, bass, muffles, etc. On the other hand you could just go for some of those kind of intense slap-open tone solo riffs (the most timabale-like conga tones) that Mongo would throw out to perfection.

Simon B

[Simon B]

So my belated anwer is - hit some hard slaps and do a solo that will belt out over the other instruments. a la timbales!

Simon

[Tonio]

Thanks Simon,
Yeah I was thinking that too, Iguess a more double strokes and whatnot. Timbales do have more capacity to do different strokes, and this solo in Mi Tierra is as such. To try and imitate whats on Cd would be challenge I would like to pursue, but something tells me "keep it simple". Why imitate what a timbale player does. Timb, bongo and congas do have similar riffs and breaks.
Oh don't forget cymbals hmm
Hey how about be original?

T

[JohnnyConga]

In my opnion you should be more spontaneous rather than thinking in double strokes or hard slaps. first question is How many bars is the solo? Once you know that then you can begin to structure how to begin it and how to end it. Remember if you start out with fire you have no where to go, start slowly but surely and build the solo to an awe aspiring finish,while the drummer keeps time of course. Soloing is not easy especially if the rhythm section falls apart cause you are stronger than they are. It has happened to me many times. IT still happens to this day depending on who I am playing with. It still takes "practice"......At your Service...JC JOHNNY CONGA...

[pini]

I say ... start as strong as u can and than increase

(just joking ah..)

[Tonio]

Well theres 8 bars, so it shouldn't be to bad as far as stamina goes.
I agree with you Johnny, I try not to give too much in the beginning but gradually build up. But just eight measures is not much so maybe I can work out between a building solo and an all out solo. Rehearsal is next week, I'll have time to work it out. I can record the solos and see how it goes.
Hey can we post audio clips here?
sorry I have'nt really read the FAQ's.

Tony

[JohnnyConga]

Well if it's 8 bars----SMOKE IT! cause 8 bars can go by pretty quick so it has to be very dynamic and strong. If it was like 32 bars then I would repeat my message above. Yea take it home and work out a nice 8 bar routine. At your Service..JC JOHNNY CONGA....

[ChiChi]

I do not understand. Your bass and Keys could not keep up with the drummer soloing? Comon, are you a garage band?

[zaragemca]

Chichi I have to agree that a Salsa and Jazz solos are the most dificults becouse the amount of syncopation(which is a most for those solos),between Timbales and Congas it is more easy on the first one becouse it doesn't involved the development of callous and accuracy(required in a conga for each strokes),other wise it wouldn't sound good,also the sticks bounce from the head,the hand doesn't bounce you have to raise it,etc.That's the last stage of my students in my percussion training,holding their tempos(when I'm doing solos),and learning the mechanics of solos.(but not all of them are interested in becoming lead drummers).



Edited By zaragemca on Nov. 10 2003 at 19:58