Beyond the Tumbao - Developing Odd Meter
Patterns for the Congas

Ruben P. AlvarezBy Ruben P. Alvarez

Traditional Afro-Cuban conga rhythms blend well with many musical styles that are based on double or triple based meters. But what do you do when the composition is written in odd meters like 5, 7, 9, etc.?

The purpose of this article is to introduce the contemporary percussionist to a system that can be used as a springboard to develop odd meter conga "tumbaos" for two congas, pitched high and low. (I personally like that combination tuned to a fourth). The two conga set-up would include a higher pitched lead drum directly in front and a lower pitched drum to the right, right handed players or vice versa for left handed players.

Learning traditional Afro-Cuban techniques to produce the four basic tones on congas and a basic understanding of the tumbao are prerequisite for playing this exercise.

(P) Palm
(T) Finger Tap
(O) Open tone, and
(S) Slap tone

Don't be discouraged, excellent resources are available such as Richie Gajate-Garcia's "Adventures in Rhythm" and Bobby Sanabria's "Getting Started on Congas" videos. A well rounded contemporary percussionist definitely needs this knowledge and the skills its produces.

Depending on the tempo and the rhythmic emphasis of the composition, traditional Afro-Cuban tones,
(P) Palm, (T) Finger Tap, (O) Open tone, and (S) Slap tone, can be used in combination with rudiments paradiddles, double paradiddles, triple paradiddles, and inverted paradiddles. To play 5/4 you could use the sticking pattern llrlrlrlrr using only open tones on your lead drum, preferably the higher pitched drum.

(A). The next step in the process is to assign the different combination of sound to the pattern.
(B). Next, add the second conga preferably the lower pitched drum as a sound.source.
(C). The final step in the process is to rest on the downbeat of beat 3.
(D). To change the "swing", and create variations, start at a different point in the.pattern.
(E). Try building grooves in 7, 9, 10. and Have fun, but make sure you develop a.groove and above all make it swing!
(P) Palm (T) Finger Tap (O) Open tone (S) Slap