Martillo, Martillo, Martillo - What else?

[120decibels]

I'm curious......

I've always felt that part of the art of the bongocero was to move seamlessly in and out of the Martillo pattern with improvisations and fills. However, I was just in a situation where, due to space considerations, the bandleader asked me to bring only bongos. I had to play a variety of tunes including some samba and soca songs. I was playing with a drumset player, so I was not the only timekeeper. My question is, are there other patterns that folks have invented for other styles? Have any of them become "standard"?

I used a combination of Martillo and various conga patterns that I had adapted for bongos.

Does anyone else have experience with adapting bongos to different music styles without just playing Martillo? Martillo fits pretty well with anything in 4/4, but it might be nice to have other patterns in my pocket. I can make them up, but I'm curious as to what else is out there.

Also, what do you folks play in 6/8 on bongos?

Thanks,

Zach

[Simon B]

Martillo's obviously fundamental in Cuban playing and #### useful to learn well, but outside of this context it often makes sense to use different rhythms, it seems to me. In Brazilian music or with Brazilian feel percussionists often drop the thumb-fingers aspect of the martillo and bounce around open-tone samba patterns. 'The Bongo Book' by Trevor Salloum shows one or two of these, as well as various other non-martillo partterns (I think there are some 6/8 patterns in there - I'd check but a friend's borowing my copy).

Simon B

[tamboricua]

In the Afrocuban format, when playing 6/8 many bongoseros adapt okónkolo patterns to the bongó.

Hope this helps!


Saludos, Jorge Ginorio

http://www.rhythmweb.com/jorge

[JohnnyConga]

Jorge is totally right about the bongoses playing more okonkolo parts. But if your playing a variety of music this is where "Versatility" comes in, pick up a shaker a pandiero or a bell or anything you can incoporate when your stuck for patterns on bongos...My 2 cents...At your Service.....JC JOHNNY CONGA....

[JohnnyConga]

Also even if you had brought some toys with you, what would the bandleader do? tell you not to incorporate them in the music, if it makes musical sense? If he did that then he's not a Leader and has no concept of percussion. Not all so-called "bandleaders" know what to do with percussionists, trust me on this one OK?....At your Service...JC JOHNNY CONGA...

[yoni]

Another basic Latin bongo pattern I know is called Complecho, but maybe this is just considered another variation of Martillo?

[tamboricua]

Another basic Latin bongo pattern I know is called Complecho, but maybe this is just considered another variation of Martillo?

Hi Yoni, hope all is well. Complecho? That's another first for me. Can you please give us more details about it? Looking forward.


All the best,

Jorge Ginorio

[Michael S]

Also even if you had brought some toys with you, what would the bandleader do? tell you not to incorporate them in the music, if it makes musical sense?

Johnny's right. This is an annoying aspect of being a percussionist; we are often not taken seriously and I find that my congas are looked at as "toys". I've had this happen to me. Or the bandleader tries to squeeze you into an impossible place to play underneath the drummers cymbals or behind the bass amp. And during breaks, audience members don't think twice about going onstage to tap on the congas. I've never seen anyone do this with any other instruments, with the possible exception of the keyboard.

[Michael S]

There is an "old school" book, still in print, entitled "Progressive Steps to Bongo and Conga Drum Technique" by Ted Reed. I think you can get it new for less than five dollars. Any kit drummer knows of the Progressive series and Ted Reed. It was first published in 1961 and is filled with different variations of martillo,, fills, and some other patterns, such as merengue. I cannot attest to it's authenticity but Ted Reed is a respected name in drumming.

[JohnnyConga]

#### ..what a memory I haven't heard about the Ted Reed book in years. It may have been also influential for me as a young teenager as was the Humberto Morales timbale book. Shoot, where can I get a copy of that? People are drawn to the conga drum that's why the need to touch them, though they have no respectful clue as to your feelings about "your" instrument. that is why I spend my life "educating" people as to what the drum is really all about. But as a representative of the drum,it goes with the territory, to have to deal with people when it comes to "my" drums. Bongos can be a "free" rhythm instrument but just keep in mind the feel and pulse of the music your playing to. I have recorded Disco bongos Funk bongos,african styles all styles on bongos for that matter. Even middle eastern patterns on bongos. Where they actually come from (Clay drums). Having a bag of toys around just opens the versatility door for ya and you won't get bored. Plus it is up to a "specialist"/percussionist to be "musically and rhythmically creative"......so get your toy bag together and do it!......At your Service..JC JOHNNY CONGA....

[yoni]

Hi Jorge,

I would love to show Complecho, but am not a good reader or writer.

How's this?:

du = low bongo tone
cu = high bongo muff
ta = high bongo edge slap

du cu ta cu ta cu du ta du ta du cu ta cu du -//
1 2 3 4

It's alternating hands each stroke, like Martillo.

Probably confusing, huh? I must learn to notate. I can easily record complecho on this computer - just got to know if I can send it and if you can open it on this forum or elsewhere. If you know how, please let me know. Tomorrow I'll try sending a "soundbyte" of it anyway.

All the best,
yoni

[Michael S]

Johnny, you need never wonder where to get this stuff as long as foreverdrumming.com is around. He's got your book for $3.95 (that is not a typo!). He's also got some "old school" books for bongo and conga by Bob Evans that were originally published in 1960. I've got the conga book. It teaches a ton of rhythms, all for one drum. (The photos are great, showing a nailed-head drum, about 10" in diameter.)
As I said in another post, I've been dealing with this guy for years and he is terrific. Subscribe to his newsletter and you get a discount and he also periodiocally offers further discounts. Every drummer should support him.
Your resume is indeed impressive but it sounds like you are embarrased by the disco thing. I don't think you should be. Disco was dissed mostly by the hard rock crowd. Disco did not die, it merely evolved and is still around and popular because people will always love, and need, to dance.
Do you think the conga is as rhythmically free as the bongo? For some styles I find playing the conga more like a djembe to be appropriate, using only slaps, open tones, and bass, with little of the subtleties.

[CongaMan]

Thanks Yoni for the audio-file!

To download the complecho rhythm for bongos Click Here

Bye

[JohnnyConga]

Do I think the conga drum is as "rhythmically free" as the bongo? It depends on the form of music your playing. As you know there are "standard" rhythms to be played especially with latin music, other forms may be more open, say Pop or R and B for example. Yes I utilize jimbe patterns at times ,once again depending on the "style" of music. foreverdrumming .com, I will check it out...Thanks ....At your Service.. JC JOHNNY CONGA....

[yoni]

You're most welcome CongaMan. The sample of complecho was played very "rote" to help map it out. Feels and variations go on and on... I think variations can be heard behind Palmieri piano solos like "Solito" and more..