Flam and Drag

Teacher: Alex Acuña Length: 10 min Category: Vocabulary

Review your basic eight tones. You will use Heel Tip to play drags. Flams and drags can be played open and closed on conga for different patterns.

Applying the 5-Stroke Roll to Congas

Teacher: Alex Acuña Length: 5 min Category: Percussion, Rudiments, Secrets From the Pros

Alex has developed a unique lesson plan where drummers who know the rudiments on a drumset can apply them to the Congas and produce Latin rhythms.

The Single Drag and Ratamacue

Teacher: Alex Acuña Length: 7 min Category: Vocabulary

Let's expand upon the flam and drag by now adding the single drag and the ratamacue.  These rudiments will add some great tone colors in solos.

The Evolution of Rhythm Pt. 1

Teacher: Alex Acuña Length: 10 min Category: Beats / Grooves, Latin, Musical Styles, Percussion, Secrets From the Pros

In this lesson, Alex demonstrates some basic single and double stroke motions that apply to both the drum set and congas.

Drum Set Solo and Review

Teacher: Alex Acuña Length: 7 min Category: Vocabulary

Alex plays a drumset solo limiting him only to the rudiments covered so far in this course and talks about his approach to the drum set and conga.

La Evolución del Ritmo Pt. 1 (Spanish)

Teacher: Alex Acuña Length: 10 min Category: Beats / Grooves, Latin, Musical Styles, Secrets From the Pros

Desde el "Afro-beat" a la "Festejo" para el "Shuffle" Alex muestra un ritmo africano que evoluciona de congas y cajón a batería. Da una visión increíble en el tiempo en función de África sentir que Elvin Jones aplica al conjunto.

Flam Tap and Flamacue

Teacher: Alex Acuña Length: 13 min Category: Vocabulary

Along with showing the rudiments on the set and conga, Alex and Don get into a great discussion about time and playing to a click track.

The Evolution of Rhythm Pt. 2

Teacher: Alex Acuña Length: 11 min Category: Beats / Grooves, Latin, Musical Styles, Secrets From the Pros

From "Afro-beat" to "Festejo" to "Shuffle" Alex shows an African rhythm that evolves from congas to drums.

Single, Double, and Triple Paradiddles

Teacher: Alex Acuña Length: 9 min Category: Vocabulary

Alex shows how the paradiddles on the congas create rhythms. The single paradiddle is a Caribbean rhythm from Puerto Rico. The double paradiddle is an African beat in "three or six" feel. The triple paradiddle is it's own pattern.

Tocando Conga y Batería Pt. 2 (Spanish)

Teacher: Alex Acuña Length: 12 min Category: Beats / Grooves, Latin, Musical Styles, Percussion, Secrets From the Pros

Alex comienza mostrando el movimiento similar utilizado entre congas de juego y batería. Él muestra los ritmos básicos para empezar que juega el sistema y congas al mismo tiempo.