I get my congas today!!! - Where do I start?

[drumminlogan]

Well I am a drum set player, but had to give that up for now since I moved into an apartment. I have played congas a little bit, but not a whole lot. Needless to say I ordered my congas, (since non of the music stores carried anything besides Aspires), and they are coming today. I can't wait. I got the Matador's conga and tumbadora. A few weeks ago I bought the bok Conga Drumming by Alan Dworsky. It looks like a good book. Does anyone who has been doing this for awhile have any thoughts about how well this book works. What else would you suggest to do to get started. I couldn't find a conga teacher in my area, plus I can't really afford it at this time. Thanks for the help. I can't wait for the UPS man to arrive!

[JohnnyConga]

I would recommend you pick up two videos ,if you don't have a local teacher to physically show you how to play. One is by KALANI on Congas and the 2 videos by Bobby Sanabria. I don't get a cent for promoting them but I have seen them both and they are good starting videos. You may also goto Lessons4you.com and see if there are any teachers in your area....At your Service...and may you have many years of enjoyment with your drums...Welcome Drum Brother!...JC JOHNNY CONGA

[Simon B]

The Dworsky book is a good one, although I think the notation is a bit confusing. What I would advise you to do is to follow it for its early stages to create simple tones and combinations, but then focus predominantly on the tumbao rhythms - for the moment. Don't worry unduly about trying all the other rhythms right at this time - practice the tumbao over and over and they will follow!

Also practice converting all the drum-set rudiments to the congas - they don't stop despite the change-over!

Simon B

[RayBoogie]

Congratulation MATADOR brother!!

[KingKongas]

Congrats on the new drums! If you are a drum set player then I believe you are ahead of the game. One question though.... Arent the congas going to sound as loud to your neighbors in your apartment? ... I second the previous post about practicing/translating the drum rudiments to the congas! That is a big key. Rudiments are the key. Dont overestimate them. Of course, getting the congas to sound like you want them to in your rudiments takes ALOT of practice too.

[drumminlogan]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

KingKongas, congas are a lot quiter than a drum set. MY main problem though was I didn't have room to store my drum set here. Yes, maybe the neighbors will hear my congas a little, but I only will practice in the day time, and they are usually gone at that time. I have been wanting to learn to play the congas for a long time, so here I go...



Edited By drumminlogan on Nov. 06 2002 at 09:04