Conga, Bongo, and Timbale Techniques

David Charles

General Info

Year: 1982
Edition: 1st Edition
Publisher: Marimba Productions
Cost: Book Cost - $75.00   |   Supplemental Books - $0.00

Chapters

Chapter I:
Chapter II:
Chapter III:
Chapter IV:
Chapter V:
Chapter VI:

Reviews

Student Reviews

Organization: A brief dedication precedes the table of contents which lists a foreword from David Friedman, information about the author, and an introduction; three sections follow after: Section I covering congas, bongos, timbales, and claves, Section II covering improvisation, and Section III covering Latin percussion in the studio. Very brief acknowledgments are covered on the last page of the book.

Content: Section I covers a fair bulk of the book, with pictures being provided for information about each instrument and different strokes used when playing them. Exercises, as well as a popular rhythm, is included with each instrument which utilize each notation and technique that is covered in the informative part of the section. Section II goes into great detail about what to think about when improvising and how a player can use the techniques and sounds from each instrument to build and develop phrases and rhythms; in general, it covers how to make music with these Latin instruments. Section III covers how these instruments are set-up and used in a studio environment which can be very useful for studio musicians.

Uses: Given the rarity of Latin instruments and music in high schools as it is, I would not use this book with high schoolers, but would definitely introduce it to college students and especially professionals. It is a great way to show the many ways to get different sounds from each of these instruments, a concept which I thought I was crazy for believing in since so few books cover it.

Rating: Unless I was not looking in the right place, the price tag for this book was very surprising at $75. While it does provide great information, especially for studio musicians, I do not see what in this book could have cost anyone enough money to sell each book at this price, and it makes me wonder if this book was only created to be sold to professional musicians who are willing to pay this price for good information about Latin music. 3/5. User:Hondogracias

Works for Percussion by this Author

Charles, David. Conga, Bongo, and Timbale Techniques. Marimba Productions, 1982.