For those unfamiliar with the original, folkloric version of rumba, it should be made clear that the melodic conversation played in this video between the rack and floor toms represent a melodic conversation that would take place between the two lowest tumbadora (conga drum) parts. If you are a drum set player playing in a group that also contains a legitimate conga drummer, it wouldn't really be appropriate for the drum set player to double the conga drum melody with the toms. In that situation it would be much better for the drum set to cover other parts of rumba than the melodic conversation of the conga drums. A good example would be the Fort Apache Band, which plays latin jazz that is rooted in rumba. That band featured Jerry Gonzalez playing his own highly original version of rumba on tumbadoras, and Steve Berrios playing drum set. Steve never played anything like the arrangement featured in this video, whether Jerry was actually sitting at his drums or out front playing his trumpet or flugelhorn. Steve Berrios always played parts that were more idiomatically appropriate to the drum set, that never doubled what the conga drums might play. On its own terms this video has a lot of good information, it presents a creative and cohesive arrangement of a folkloric rhythm that was not originally created to be played on a drum set. The material that was presented demands fairly high levels of coordination, independence and overall musicianship. I just wish that along with the technical information was a bit more musical information about when and where it might be appropriate to play this arrangement; and conversely, when and where a different sort of arrangement might be called for. Mis dos pesetas.
That's really cool, thank you! Another variations which comes to mind is to play clave with left hand as cross sticks and play the snare notes in "first bar variation 2" with the fingers. Well, just a thought.
Conor, thanks for generously sharing your technique! Really easy to follow!
For those unfamiliar with the original, folkloric version of rumba, it should be made clear that the melodic conversation played in this video between the rack and floor toms represent a melodic conversation that would take place between the two lowest tumbadora (conga drum) parts. If you are a drum set player playing in a group that also contains a legitimate conga drummer, it wouldn't really be appropriate for the drum set player to double the conga drum melody with the toms. In that situation it would be much better for the drum set to cover other parts of rumba than the melodic conversation of the conga drums.
A good example would be the Fort Apache Band, which plays latin jazz that is rooted in rumba. That band featured Jerry Gonzalez playing his own highly original version of rumba on tumbadoras, and Steve Berrios playing drum set. Steve never played anything like the arrangement featured in this video, whether Jerry was actually sitting at his drums or out front playing his trumpet or flugelhorn. Steve Berrios always played parts that were more idiomatically appropriate to the drum set, that never doubled what the conga drums might play.
On its own terms this video has a lot of good information, it presents a creative and cohesive arrangement of a folkloric rhythm that was not originally created to be played on a drum set. The material that was presented demands fairly high levels of coordination, independence and overall musicianship. I just wish that along with the technical information was a bit more musical information about when and where it might be appropriate to play this arrangement; and conversely, when and where a different sort of arrangement might be called for. Mis dos pesetas.
10 minutes : full lesson
Thx you so much
Great lesson, especially for teachers!
very nice you make it look so easy , beautiful coordination..
A very presented lesson. Thank you for demostrating the many varitions
the last floor tom-tom variation is used in the mambo.
That's really cool, thank you! Another variations which comes to mind is to play clave with left hand as cross sticks and play the snare notes in "first bar variation 2" with the fingers. Well, just a thought.
That drum set is beautiful
Brilliantly built up
Great stuff Conor. Many thanks for sharing..B
best part is the cool facial expression he makes at the end of every demonstration.
Very musical
Very nicely done.
Make another video
great video! this is so useful...
this is brilliant stuff... thank you!
👌super merci 👍
Excellent! Merci!
Thanks Conor! This is wicked ;)
Suena bonito!!!
Thank really cool
Great…Thanks!
Turn the snares off
Too much talk, stop talk...
It’s called a *lesson*