introductions....

[Thomas Altmann]

Hi Chas,

a warm welcome to the group from Hamburg, Germany. I began studying congas (and percussion i.g.) in 1979, after having played the drum set for 8 years. My initial motivation had been to go back and discover the roots of all drumming (as far as Afro-American music is concerned). I felt that the (over-)sophisticated stuff that I had to read and play back then was not what drumming had been all about, and, more importantly, it wasn't why I had started to play drums at all. Therefore I went for hand drumming and turned to Latin, especially Cuban, music in addition to Jazz. One afterthought had also been to gain access to the pop and studio scene as a percussionist. 'Cause I did not really feel like I wanted to become a Rock/Funk/Soul/Pop drum set player.

Now, 30 years later, I am still earning most of my monthly income with my drum set. But on most of my rare prestigious gigs I play congas, bongos, and miscellaneous percussion. Plus, after 30 years I am one of my country's conga teachers to see and consult. I love Jazz, and I'm not going to give up drum set playing; but for me there's nothing as drumistically fulfilling as the conga. No, wait; batá is even bigger, as far as I am concerned.

But even for my drum set playing, having built that background of hand drumming, group drumming, Cuban rhythms, and African-based concepts, I find I can count on a more solid foundation for everything I do. So for example, although I am certainly not the best Latin drum set player, not even in my town, I was chosen as a Latin drum set teacher for an educational institution that breeds professional players (the "Hamburg School of Music") - just because they knew I had that "feeling".

I wish you a fertile marriage of the two lineages of drumming. By the way, I still have adaptation problems going from stick drumming to hand drumming and vice versa. It's like I am two different drummers in one person.

Thomas

[cdldrum]

Thanks Thomas...

Excellent post. "....just because they knew I had that "feeling". " That is the ultimate musician complement...
and what I aspire to achieve. I hold those that can play it and teach it in high esteem .

I too love jazz...but, unfortunately, the needs of real world life (food, clothing , shelter, family) prevent my
committment to the small combo/trio/quartet groups that play the straight ahead jazz that I prefer. As such, have
grown stale and complacent...time for new challenges. I wonder , do conga drummers get in the "zone" ? Have experienced it once or twice on set gigs and it is, (as earlier implied) , like a drug. Looking forward to pursueing the new skilset. My strengths as a set drummer are being a good listener, having taste, and good time.... my weaknesses... too much "sameness" , no blazing speed, limited in sight reading, and think I am better then I am. (usually reminded of my limitations on all the you-tube vids showing some teenager just killing it....).

Thomas... on a side note...stationed in Germany (Stuggart/Ludwigsburg) in the 70's ... absolutely loved the country, culture,cuisine, and people. Jazz was big when I lived there... but Country and Western was bigger. Did not see/hear much Latin influenced music...but I'm sure emmigration/immigration has changed that....you must have been on the cutting edge of studying Latin.

Thanks again. Looking forward to learning..and having fun.

Peace, Chas

[Thomas Altmann]

Hi Chas,

if you were stationed in Stuttgart and Ludwigsburg in the 70's, you must be at least my age (54). I lived in Heidelberg, about 100 kms to the North, from 1984 to 85. I was playing in a Salsa band there, and particularly among the US soldiers and those out of service were a few Puerto Rican musicians - mostly percussionists. They played with us, and we also had a couple of gigs in the baracks, like for "Hispanic Weeks" and such. But well, that was in the 80's.

When I think back, I have definitely been among the first German percussionists to take the Latin thing seriously.

An idiomatic detail: What do you mean by "getting in the zone"?

Thomas

[cdldrum]

Thomas ...

I am not qualified to discuss "getting in to the zone".... but I can say.... if I could pull off a groove
like this I would be content.


solid.


Peace, Chas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SvTrptAuvs

[cdldrum]

Sorry to bother....

Pulled the trigger... purchased via Ca. Percussion LLC., .... Tumbao Pro Custom Quinto, Conga, Tumba
with matching TBC bongos. After reviewing many posts located here... asked the owner (Trey) to substitute
Calf for the "NuSkyn" heads ... to make the sale he agreed...they (calf) are being drop shipped from Gon Bop.
(humidity is not an issue in Arizona... except during the peak of the Monsoon). As many here are aware
the only difference between the Tumbao Pro and the Tumbao Pro Custom is/was (discontinued) a variety
of lacquer / stain options. First choice (and what I originally thought I was purchasing) was the Tumbao
Pro in Mahoghany finish...turns out they were unavailable (none left)... second choice Cherry fade... but no
Tumba available (and none left at Gon Bop) (again discontinued). Third option...in the warehouse ... the Quinto,
Conga, Tumba, and bongo in "metallic tobacco fade". Thought they looked reasonable. Accepted.
$725..free ship.

Shipped today ...should be here Mon / Tues. Not a steal...a good deal... at some point I will secure some
mule.

I am not an expert on these things...but it does seem that all the Gon Bop discontinuations may make
getting what you want in the Tumbao Pro series a little bit tougher to achieve.

Did I do o.k. ?

btw...donated the Tumbao series quinto and conga to a local middle school with an Afro Cuban rhythms
course offering...faculty is a friend of mine.

Peace, Chas

[Mike]

asked the owner (Trey) to substitute Calf for the "NuSkyn" heads ... to make the sale he agreed...they (calf) are being drop shipped from Gon Bop.

btw...donated the Tumbao series quinto and conga to a local middle school with an Afro Cuban rhythms
course offering...faculty is a friend of mine.

Did I do o.k. ?

Both of these things are more than OK!

[alabubba]

I have five G B Tumbao Pros living at my house...a quinto, two congas, two tumbas. Love 'em all. One ea quinto, conga, tumba re-skinned with thick cow (mine), and 1 ea conga and tumba re-skinned with mule (my son's).

You did good!