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Hi Folks, I was going thru some of my old conga books and found 2 that i bought over 15 years ago called "language of the drum" an More Language of the Drum" by a guy named Harry Tippins PHD. In it it has a bunch of rhythms from Haiti, Cuba, Brazil and Ghana...all notated out in TUB's (time unit box system). Anybody else have these books? Anybody know anything else about Harry Tippins? I'm curious to learn more about this guy.

I have known Dr. Harry Tippens since around 1992 when we met in Miami and we exchanged our rhythms, his Haitian and mine Cuban. He also gave me the very first copy of his book signed by him and we are still in touch today. He is in Los Angeles alive well and still drumming.. He might be coming my way this summer. I don't have any photos of him, but I do have cassette tapes of our lessons we gave one another...and I can call him...I can tell you that at one time he was also a government scientist...and a very educated individual, very worldly and a Great Voodou drummer.....and Yes I do know everybody...hahahahahahahaha...been around a long time...."JC" Johnny Conga

I've got copies of 3 of his books. I haven't really gone very far into them, the notation symbols kind of put me off. He does have rhythms in there that I have not seen anywhere else. I keep meaning to have a closer look at his 3 and 4 drum adaptations as well, which is called "Sing the Song of the Drums". What is nice about his books are the informative descriptions as to the origins and history of the rhythms he transcribes. Thanks for reminding me and bringing these works back to my attention.

Bongos....Wow! I didn't know there were more books. I only have his first 2 books, but would love to get his third. Anybody know where I can find them...a simple google search doesn't bring up much.

JC-You do know everybody man! Man I wish I could hear those casette tapes! Have you thought about converting them to MP3? Next time you talk to him let him know i'm interested in more of his books!

This is great info. Thanks!

I spoke with Dr. Tippens(Harry).. today..he will chime in here soon..."JC" Johnny Conga

Here is the latest picture of Dr. Harry Tippens...he will be here soon..He also told me his books are available....
"JC" Johnny Conga

Yeah! Using that conga as a gwo manman tanbou! Cool!

I was very surprised to see Harry's name appear as the title of a thread here. I had no idea he was so well known. I used to play with him when he lived here in San Diego. Years ago, he was my first conga teacher.

He plays all kinds of Latin American folkloric styles. I played in a Brazilian band, and he would join us on almost anything from samba to afoxé.

Yeah, I know him,,, met him several times at the Humboldt camp.. He was always hungry to share a rhythm with me since I was one of the few who had played any Haitian rhythms. I got one of his books along the way as I helped verify some of his notation with a John Amira source. Definitely a very nice guy! Wired and enthusiastic!

Heres a pic when he was in San Diego-on the right

Post for CongaPlace.com 7/11/10

Harry Tippins here – alive and well in Flagstaff, AZ – still paying homage to Huntor, the spirit of the drum, on a daily basis.

My books are currently out of print, but I still have a few copies for distribution. If you’re interested in purchasing one, send your e-mail address and telephone number to me at raphgon@gmail.com, for an e-catalog describing the books’ contents, price, and how to order.

Since their publication 10 years ago, they remain the most accurate, complete, and user friendly scores of the music of the African Diaspora available. Not a single error exists, despite close scrutiny by the critics. I have had no complaints, but many kudos, including a rave review in Modern Drummer magazine.

Ashe, a Loa Loa

Harry

Hey Dr. Tippins! Thanks for joining the thread! I love your first 2 books (language of the drum 1 &2). Your books are some of the only publications with Haitian Drumming in them. M'apresye sa anpil anpil. I'll be sending an email.