top of page

Drum Ideas For Playing Latin Music

Latin music originated in the Caribbean back inside the 18th century. African slaves coming towards the Caribbean Islands brought along their instruments like congas, cowbells, djembe and timbales. Originally, they applied these instruments as means of communication amongst different ethnic groups. Cuba became a hot-bed for various instruments. This collection of instruments later became the percussion section of Latin music. Probably the most crucial point to remember in Latin music is this: there was no drum set back within the day. With this in mind, contemporary drummers need to merge the style of a drum set with all the exotic percussion instruments in the original Latin music instrumentation.

A typical drum set in Latin music merely replaces the percussion instruments that must happen to be there. As an example, toms will simulate the conga pattern whilst the cymbals will duplicate a timbale's bell pattern. The bass drum will play along the bass guitar's line while the snare drum replaces the clave or conga part.

Playing drums in Latin music is useful simply because you understand various beats, melodies and patterns not found in contemporary music scene such as rock and pop. Together with these patterns are the 2-3 Rhumba Clave beat, the 3-2 rumba clave beat, the Son Clave beats, Bossa Nova beats and a lot of more. These beats and patterns are also discovered in unique forms of swings and jazz. But the difference may be the percussion they use for generating these rhythms.

To get the ideal out of Latin music, you have to find out authentic Afro-Cuban instruments. For those who can, try your hands on congas, djembes, cowbells, bongos and timbales. In some cases, a Latin song requires you to get-off your stool and in to the percussion section. A typical Latin percussion section consists of congas, tambourines, cowbells and wood blocks. Welcome the challenge of playing these instruments mainly because the information you are going to gain is extremely worthwhile as soon as you get back inside your drum kit.

Lastly, listen to unique kinds of Latin music; open as much as a diverse sort of flavor coming from Salsa, Rumba, Bebop, Cumbia and Samba. Get a copy of Santana's albums and study the methods of his drummers including Karl Perazzo and Paul Rekow. Surprisingly, jazz and Latin music possess a lot in common. Possibly mainly because of their African roots, both genres share exactly the same patterns and grooves not found in other music for instance blues, rock and country. To get more information about authentic conga drums please visit our blog.

Latin is really a complete new ball game for you. Attempting your hands on salsa, rumba and Bossa nova presents chance for the development as a musician. What you are going to discover has a excellent impact for your development as a drummer and as a musician. Your whole outlook in distinctive instruments, approaches and rhythms can help you in developing your own personal style.


bottom of page