"...Giovanni is obsessive-compulsive in his practicing. He'll get up at 3 in the morning and start practicing cause he dreamt about a rudiment... " Johnny Conga
Love it!!!
"... Yoni - describe your hands for us, sir!" Simon B.
Certainly, sir! Mine are quite small, with little bird bones. I'm just about 5' 5" - I recall Giovanni was like a head shorter than I, with even shorter fingers - the man is tiny. His palm felt like fine sandpaper. Could be something to Johnny's point about more speed in smaller hands, like more speed in a hummingbird's wings than in an eagle's. On the other hand (no pun intended), there's a young dude in my area who checks me out for lessons - he's tall and lanky, but is now doing the doubles not bad at all. No fair, he's too young! So tall folks, don't despair. The double really does improve when you keep on it. It may never sound as strong as the single roll, but remember, Giovanni is always very well miked.
Like I wrote in another thread, I had an "advantage" of having a real dumb job for a couple years - watchman for farm equipment in remote areas - alone on that job I would drill the doubles endlessly, even at home in the bathroom when I didn't want to bother anyone. As I said, I'm sure no Gio but I do get obsessive at times.
Yeah "extreme" drumming sounds like some of what we hear today. But I think it's important to remember what you implied, Johnny - it's not nearly all about technique. Rhythm and musicality are paramount. The way you turn all those tight, unpredictable corners on congas probably doesn't come from technique alone, but from mucho experience and an uncanny feel for the music. I may never be able to turn those sharp corners like the great Latin congueros, but it's something I sure love hearing.
Oh, Simon, just occurred to me, there MIGHT be someone in the UK doing doubles - or something close to them...
I used to have an album called "Monty Python's Previous Record" - hilarious. On the first skit someone says "Do these sounds embarass you?" And one of the sounds that followed was someone doing that "fish" roll I described earlier - no kidding! I guess you'll have to find John Cleese or someone to tell you who did it.
I'm outta here for now, too!
Later,
yoni
Edited By yoni on May 04 2003 at 15:01