wow, I have been trying to make this slap since I started the conga, about 3 months ago. I was told it would take years to get this down. Thanks to this video, I have a good idea what works for me!
My dude. Drum set player of 20 years here. Just picked up a conga a few weeks back, haven’t been able to crack the slap until this video. The slow motion really helped. Thanks a lot!
Love your videos Tommy. Been a pro for 20+ years and it still amazes me what I don't know when I see a great player/teacher like yourself. Keep up the good work buddy!
This video couldn't have come at a better time. About to come up to Nashville (Murfreesboro) for college and this is a concept I have just begun diving in to. Thanks for all the awesome videos!
I really like the sound you get out of that conga Tommy. I have LP professional models. As a classically trained percussionist myself (and songwriter/singer)...I enjoy hearing more about your studio session work, and want to know how you get more involved in it? Your conga bass note also sounds great! ...I would like to know what you recommend as your tuning notes for the quinto, conga, and tumba? Your slap is really crisp, and the tones are very clear! I would like to adjust mine to sound like this. Thanks for the excellent tips! Blessings!
Thank you so much! Conga playing is such an art form that I feel like I know about 25% about. I'm starting videos back up, please keep tuning in! best, T
@@TommyHarden I wrote this a long time ago but it was just sent to me with your response. Since I wrote this I am looking for work in the recording music field. Since I wrote this my Mom died and our home was then sold, leaving me homeless except a hotel room for the time being. I don't know what type of help you offer but things are rough. I did not know about your singer songwriter band. I pray percussion drums, vocals etc. I put out a CD in 2006 but since 2007 to the present published a huge book that is now at the Harvard University Library. I have diabetes with neuropathy but still want to be involved in the music industry however that can happen. Any thoughts please comment. Thanks Kimberly K Ballard
+Ole Mikal Dragland my dealy is it's all about the song. On a session I'll change cymbals accordion to what fits the song. My go to setup is Sabian, 20" El Sabor ride or 24" Bash ride, 19" and 18" AAX explosion crash and studio hats. Thanks so much for the kind words. t
Boy you're not kidding. I took a slap lesson from Alex Acuna a couple of NAMM shows ago, and really learned a lot. When done right it's very relaxed and effortless. thanks for watching!
This is bad technique! It’s inefficient going from a closed slap to an open tone while curling your hand. Changuito advises against curling your hand. Your open tone and closed slap should look nearly identical. The trick is bending your finger tips/pads slightly to produce a clean, crisp slap
This is bad technique! It’s inefficient going from a closed slap to an open tone while curling your hand. Changuito advises against curling your hand. Your open tone and closed slap should look nearly identical. The trick is bending your finger tips/pads slightly to produce a clean, crisp slap
Really bro? No demo on alternating open slaps? You should be able to play open slaps equally with either hand, as quickly as you can play alternating-hand open tones. And open slaps do indeed involve the entire hand-heel striking the rim first, not a "knife-edge" as you indicate.
Try to NOT cup your hand, and do not tilt the hand that way. That’s not from me, all the great conga players and my teachers say so. As you get better and more skilled you’ll eventually be able to do it with an almost straight hand. I used to also cup and tilt because it was easier than learning it the right way. It’s important to relax and “whip” and avoid cupping and tensing like you are doing. But I agree, it takes months perhaps years to learn it. If you are busting blood vessels or otherwise getting injured then something in your technique is not right. Do not tell people to beat up their hands and then let them heal, that’s not the way. I’m 63, been playing since the 70s, and injury is a sign of poor technique. Not making this comment to be pretentious or criticize for the sake of criticizing. It’s that your advice will get others to do it improperly and others to get hurt. Better example provided below. ruclips.net/video/4UservkHIC4/видео.htmlfeature=shared
thanks for that, as I always say, we're all learning, including me, I'm a lifelong student of music. I'm gonna also do a vid on trying to make myself be able to slap with the left hand, which I cannot do now. Many thanks, t
This is not proper technique. You will beat up your hands. Needs to be more relaxed without banging your flesh on the rim. Also, you should be able to slap with either hand without damping the head with the opposite hand. Check out the Michael de Miranda video "How to play open and closed slaps on congas".
wow, I have been trying to make this slap since I started the conga, about 3 months ago. I was told it would take years to get this down. Thanks to this video, I have a good idea what works for me!
My dude. Drum set player of 20 years here. Just picked up a conga a few weeks back, haven’t been able to crack the slap until this video. The slow motion really helped. Thanks a lot!
thank you for the kind words bro
Best slap video I have found. What you show is what we so often see, but is seldom taught.
Many thanks! It’s very challenging, but when done right is unmistakable.
After going through 20 or so videos, this one taught me the most
Likewise!
I like that 5 minute Monday is 6 minutes long.
Love your videos Tommy. Been a pro for 20+ years and it still amazes me what I don't know when I see a great player/teacher like yourself. Keep up the good work buddy!
+Mangos as Weapons thank you!
This video couldn't have come at a better time. About to come up to Nashville (Murfreesboro) for college and this is a concept I have just begun diving in to. Thanks for all the awesome videos!
+Thomas Haswell your welcome!
good luck!
Great lesson Tommy !! Thanks a lot !!
+Inverted Poles ur welcome!! t
Whoa this is so good, Tommy! Thank you so much for this. Sounds reeeeeally good. I have been wanting this for years.
+BenjaminGib thanks brother Benjamin!
Nice , easy to understand lesson., thanks. I'll be working on that.
Thanks for the info!!!!
welcome bro
Always great info Tommy, thanks
+tommyc449 thanks bro!
I really like the sound you get out of that conga Tommy. I have LP professional models. As a classically trained percussionist myself (and songwriter/singer)...I enjoy hearing more about your studio session work, and want to know how you get more involved in it? Your conga bass note also sounds great! ...I would like to know what you recommend as your tuning notes for the quinto, conga, and tumba? Your slap is really crisp, and the tones are very clear! I would like to adjust mine to sound like this. Thanks for the excellent tips! Blessings!
Do you know about my singer songwriter band? It's called Lost hollow, please check us out! Let me know any way I can help.
Thank you so much! Conga playing is such an art form that I feel like I know about 25% about. I'm starting videos back up, please keep tuning in!
best,
T
@@TommyHarden I wrote this a long time ago but it was just sent to me with your response. Since I wrote this I am looking for work in the recording music field. Since I wrote this
my Mom died and our home was then sold, leaving me homeless except a hotel room for the time being. I don't know what type of help you offer but things are rough. I did not know about your singer songwriter band. I pray percussion drums, vocals etc. I put out a CD in 2006 but since 2007 to the present published a huge book that is now at the Harvard University Library. I have diabetes with neuropathy but still want to be involved in the music industry however that can happen. Any thoughts please comment. Thanks Kimberly K Ballard
Great stuff, great channel! Thanks...
Thank you!
Question: what's your idea behind your choice of cymbals? Any input on sizes, to finish, to brands would be greatly appreciated ))
+Ole Mikal Dragland my dealy is it's all about the song. On a session I'll change cymbals accordion to what fits the song. My go to setup is Sabian, 20" El Sabor ride or 24" Bash ride, 19" and 18" AAX explosion crash and studio hats. Thanks so much for the kind words. t
There are different types of slaps though and I am still discovering more of their mysteries.....
Boy you're not kidding. I took a slap lesson from Alex Acuna a couple of NAMM shows ago, and really learned a lot. When done right it's very relaxed and effortless. thanks for watching!
muito bom, parabéns!
you should demonstrate a weak hand slap- without muffling the head with the other hand
thanks my friend
Ravel Quez you're welcome bro -)
Do you need to be able to completely cup the hand to produce the slap? I can't my hand airtight like that.
no, don't cup your hand.
This is bad technique! It’s inefficient going from a closed slap to an open tone while curling your hand. Changuito advises against curling your hand. Your open tone and closed slap should look nearly identical. The trick is bending your finger tips/pads slightly to produce a clean, crisp slap
What type of Meinl is that conga? Thanks
it the top of the line, that's all I know. thanks! t
This is bad technique! It’s inefficient going from a closed slap to an open tone while curling your hand. Changuito advises against curling your hand. Your open tone and closed slap should look nearly identical. The trick is bending your finger tips/pads slightly to produce a clean, crisp slap
I will check that out, thanks so much for the advice. Best,
T
👍👌💖
Really bro? No demo on alternating open slaps? You should be able to play open slaps equally with either hand, as quickly as you can play alternating-hand open tones. And open slaps do indeed involve the entire hand-heel striking the rim first, not a "knife-edge" as you indicate.
Try to NOT cup your hand, and do not tilt the hand that way. That’s not from me, all the great conga players and my teachers say so. As you get better and more skilled you’ll eventually be able to do it with an almost straight hand. I used to also cup and tilt because it was easier than learning it the right way. It’s important to relax and “whip” and avoid cupping and tensing like you are doing. But I agree, it takes months perhaps years to learn it. If you are busting blood vessels or otherwise getting injured then something in your technique is not right. Do not tell people to beat up their hands and then let them heal, that’s not the way. I’m 63, been playing since the 70s, and injury is a sign of poor technique. Not making this comment to be pretentious or criticize for the sake of criticizing. It’s that your advice will get others to do it improperly and others to get hurt. Better example provided below.
ruclips.net/video/4UservkHIC4/видео.htmlfeature=shared
thanks for that, as I always say, we're all learning, including me, I'm a lifelong student of music. I'm gonna also do a vid on trying to make myself be able to slap with the left hand, which I cannot do now. Many thanks, t
This is not proper technique. You will beat up your hands. Needs to be more relaxed without banging your flesh on the rim. Also, you should be able to slap with either hand without damping the head with the opposite hand. Check out the Michael de Miranda video "How to play open and closed slaps on congas".
muito bom, parabéns!