Following your advice I have kept going with the buffalo heads and with continued practice my slaps have come on really well. I found practicing my left hand slaps helped my right hand slaps become more consistent - working with the 2 together. I think my left hand (I am right handed) was more relaxed and my right hand often a little over tense, resulting in hitting with inappropriate force, rather than fluency and timing (attack).
I was referring to the lady from england that was commenting about the heads being buffalo head skin and she was asking you wether the skin you use in your drums were better to develop slaps, i was not critizing you or your playing if thatsnwhat you are wondering. I think you play very good but explain yourself even better. Keep up the good videos....:)
@cuco3179 not a problem! It's just that since you didnt directly reply to her I wasn't sure exactly what you were referring to. But thanks for the input, hopefully she sees it!
don Nate Tores cuando tenga dinero alludare al movimiento si si si tambien si tubieras el tiempo ceria bueno si nos encenaras tambien a tocar bogo muchas gracias por tu tiempo.
eres el mejor esplicando, y yu tecnica es de la verdadera escula de la salsa, muchas gracias por tu tiempo, porfavor sigue mostrandonos mas cecretos de como tocar las congas,GRACIAS.
Great Job,.we appreciate your videos very much....love the way you explain everything....I am a Salsero Ranqueo.....and I just recently decided to learn Congas, at age 50 as a new Hobby....(I am doing really well)... I just added my 3rd conga and so I am beginning to develop my left hand more (I am RH) I was wondering if you have videos of you on 3 congas teaching multiple variations..
Thank so much and God Bless you . (by the way I just upgraded to a GH Palladium set...life is good..lol)
@cansuarez actually just look on my page and I have those videos!...And whenever you wish to get a new pair of congas feel free to donate the old ones you just got to me! lol take care
I have been playing drumset for over thirty years...but just decided to learn conga. I'm having a great time and your videos have been VERY helpful. I actually played a gig on a borrowed drum before watching or taking any lessons and I was in pain for a week. :)
Could you give us some thoughts about choosing your first set of congas? New or used, sizes, how much to pay, head choice and wood or fiberglass?
@hawkrider88 Go with LP!!!! lol...At least matador if not the professional line (I like classic series or giovanni, etc)...you will love them!....Get a quinto and tumbadora, and you should be able to find a good pair on ebay for less then $500...good luck tho!
Thanks a lot Nate - I have found your videos some of the clearest and most well structured in relation to progression on YouTube. Your generosity and respect foe the learner are most evident. One question I would appreciate advice on - conga heads - I have buffalo on my Pearl Elite - couldn't stretch to LPs - are some heads easier to develop slaps on? I have been told that Buffalo can be a bit thick and heavy - any thoughts from you would be much appreciated.
@brenfratica To be quite honest with you I only deal with LP Rawhide Hand Picked heads...to me they are of the best quality. I have tried synthetic ones but I really dont like the feel of them, however, to answer your question I do believe that the synthetic heads are a little easier to produce the slap but lack the warmth of the buffalo skin head...I recommend just practicing hard on whatever head you have until you can produce the sound no matter what...Hope this helps, God bless
hello from Romania!!! I know this "double tumbao"(thats what I like 2 call it) with an finger @ the midle, not an base tone, so it's base-finger-slap-open-open on quinto-finger-open-open on requinto. My question is: Is that correct too or not?(I'm sorry if my english is not so good)
You should make sure to keep your fingers close together and aline your knuckle line with the edge of the rim...take a look at my other video for "basic tones" and that should help as well!
Nate: Thank you for creating such useful videos. I really appreciate that you know a lot but the lessons come across as being very clear and you emphasize what is being taught. Please keep helping us with more videos.
Thanks for the unique videos! Help me a lot to correct some mistakes! Keep on doing this! Latin music congas is everything! The soul, the bones of the rhythm! Thnx
Amigo torres, la verdad no entiendo nada de lo que decis, seria mejor en castellano, pero con los movimientos de las manos en camara lenta, es bastante explicito y muy bueno, graciassssssssssss
Honestly, its mainly by preference!...lol, but the best thing to do is to try and develop your ear and just continuely attempt to match the pitches w/mine, but what i started out with was listening to Salsa CD's...Check out songs from Marc anthony's "Libre" CD and the conguero there plays 3 congas and it is VERY easy to hear
Great lesson playing on two congas. This will really help me out on getting the right tones and techniques to get faster, but I will not have your baby
you are my first teacher , i saw your videos your are amazing man , i am salvadorean and i like conga, thanks so much , gracias amigo contigo he aprendido mucho sigue asi , ojala publiques mas videos.
Your begining videos were great. They taught me a lot, but I had to put this video #6 down at first because I simply couln't hang. It was way too advanced for me. I finally tried to do it 2 days ago and man I tell you that I was able to handle this one after about 30 minutes of practice. I began playing congas for the 1st time 4 months ago and it wasn't until the other day when I realized that my skills swere starting to improve.
Thats great to hear!..I know Im late, lol, sometimes it takes me a while to get back to everyone, but I hope by now you have gotten a lot better! Let me know if I can be of any more help
Just want to say you have helped me a great deal.I have speed but my technique lacks big time.I am interested getting info on Giovanni beings I am a lefty!!I definitely will continue with your lessons though.Have you ever heard of Miguel Anga Diaz?God Bless Benny
Oh of course...Those two are Titans in the Conga playing art. RIP Diaz, but if you follow my videos, get down the technique and then look up to those greats you will be in the right direction! You should also buy one of giovanni's videos on E-bay or something, he shows a lot. Its a VERY advanced way of teaching but if you study it enough trust me it will help!
Great question!...If you go and watch my first videos and learn the correct way to do a slap then you will see. And do NOT expect to get it right away because it takes A LOT A LOT of practice!...Thanks, and feel free to ask any more questions!
Wow, I absolutely love your videos! Better than spending a fortune on private lessons and instructional videos. With your help I WILL BE THE NEXT SHEILA E IN CONGA TIME! HA, HA, Love ya Nate. From Chicago
hey nate i recently purchased a instructional dvd from one of the best congeros . i know you look after this guy . my only problem is that he is lefty . i m not you got me hook on it again you are great .very easy to understand , keep up the good work . and by the way do not replay to all those haters . god bless
you must be referring to my idol Giovanni Hidalgo?!?! lol...He is definitely great, but your right he is a lefty which kinda sucks for us. But thanks for the compliment and motivation and I definitely dont care about the haters!
Nate, these are excellent videos. I truly appreciate this. I'd like to learn the Plena and Bomba Basic Rhythms. Also, any hints on tuning the congas will be greatly appreciated. Keep up the great work!
lol...thats still a good deal. The first set up that is best to have is a quinto and a tumbadora...I then add a conga to the left side and tune it in between. So my main drum is a quinto.
lol...Thanks, they are what you start to learn more in intermediate level playing and also just playing how you feel, that is stuff I have either heard or come up with over the years. Just keep on doing what your doing and you will be doing it too...Take care
Actually your absolutely right! That is the best way to remember it when your not reading music...And those examples you have there are perfect ones to demonstrate that. Just develop your own method and you wont go wrong, its all about personal use!...but thats a great point and thanks for bringing it up!
now I know I'm on the right track. I know the best cuban bongoceros and congueros never read music. It's all oral tradition, since the African times. I will write some down and if any body is interested I can send them to you. Off course only the traditional ones.
And Nate. Please don't stop with these intruction video's
Thanks for another wonderful instructional video! You're a great teacher and you're getting better at it with each video. I love the variations you throw in. You are providing so many rhythms for us to add to our repertoire. Keep up the good work. GBU!
Wow...Sometimes I get amazed at how much I help or how much people really appreciate what I do. Im glad that I can be of assistance...Be blessed as well
as far as youtube-based instruction, there seems to be a whole lot of good instruction on youtube for beginners, with how to hit the conga (open, slap, etc.) and how to execute the tumbao, etc. We need more for taking it to the next level, and i think your instruction, which is excellent by the way, really starts to take us there with lessons 6 and 7. Keep up the "intermediate" level lessons and thanks for your dedication and your great teaching style.
Hi Nate!
England calling again - I'm no lady!!
Following your advice I have kept going with the buffalo heads and with continued practice my slaps have come on really well. I found practicing my left hand slaps helped my right hand slaps become more consistent - working with the 2 together. I think my left hand (I am right handed) was more relaxed and my right hand often a little over tense, resulting in hitting with inappropriate force, rather than fluency and timing (attack).
Thanks again!
brenfratica 2 weeks ago
That one at the end called "a caballo" ive seen it tha same with some heel toes instead on the left
InsightMike78 1 month ago
I was referring to the lady from england that was commenting about the heads being buffalo head skin and she was asking you wether the skin you use in your drums were better to develop slaps, i was not critizing you or your playing if thatsnwhat you are wondering. I think you play very good but explain yourself even better. Keep up the good videos....:)
cuco3179 4 months ago
@cuco3179 not a problem! It's just that since you didnt directly reply to her I wasn't sure exactly what you were referring to. But thanks for the input, hopefully she sees it!
prpapito3000 4 months ago
A good conga player can get a good slap (the closed slap) even when the head is completely loose, in other words not tuned.
cuco3179 4 months ago
@cuco3179 Don't understand what you're tryna get at but ok
prpapito3000 4 months ago
don Nate Tores cuando tenga dinero alludare al movimiento si si si tambien si tubieras el tiempo ceria bueno si nos encenaras tambien a tocar bogo muchas gracias por tu tiempo.
bongocero1985 4 months ago
@bongocero1985 Gracias! Y cuando tenga tiempo quizas durante las vacaciones de thanksgiving trate de hacer mas videos
prpapito3000 4 months ago
eres el mejor esplicando, y yu tecnica es de la verdadera escula de la salsa, muchas gracias por tu tiempo, porfavor sigue mostrandonos mas cecretos de como tocar las congas,GRACIAS.
bongocero1985 6 months ago
@bongocero1985 gracias mano! Tratare lo mejor posible
prpapito3000 6 months ago
Great Job,.we appreciate your videos very much....love the way you explain everything....I am a Salsero Ranqueo.....and I just recently decided to learn Congas, at age 50 as a new Hobby....(I am doing really well)... I just added my 3rd conga and so I am beginning to develop my left hand more (I am RH) I was wondering if you have videos of you on 3 congas teaching multiple variations..
Thank so much and God Bless you . (by the way I just upgraded to a GH Palladium set...life is good..lol)
cansuarez 6 months ago
@cansuarez actually just look on my page and I have those videos!...And whenever you wish to get a new pair of congas feel free to donate the old ones you just got to me! lol take care
prpapito3000 6 months ago
I have been playing drumset for over thirty years...but just decided to learn conga. I'm having a great time and your videos have been VERY helpful. I actually played a gig on a borrowed drum before watching or taking any lessons and I was in pain for a week. :)
Could you give us some thoughts about choosing your first set of congas? New or used, sizes, how much to pay, head choice and wood or fiberglass?
Thanks very much, god bless.
hawkrider88 6 months ago
@hawkrider88 Go with LP!!!! lol...At least matador if not the professional line (I like classic series or giovanni, etc)...you will love them!....Get a quinto and tumbadora, and you should be able to find a good pair on ebay for less then $500...good luck tho!
prpapito3000 6 months ago
England calling...
Thanks a lot Nate - I have found your videos some of the clearest and most well structured in relation to progression on YouTube. Your generosity and respect foe the learner are most evident. One question I would appreciate advice on - conga heads - I have buffalo on my Pearl Elite - couldn't stretch to LPs - are some heads easier to develop slaps on? I have been told that Buffalo can be a bit thick and heavy - any thoughts from you would be much appreciated.
Love peace!
brenfratica 7 months ago
@brenfratica To be quite honest with you I only deal with LP Rawhide Hand Picked heads...to me they are of the best quality. I have tried synthetic ones but I really dont like the feel of them, however, to answer your question I do believe that the synthetic heads are a little easier to produce the slap but lack the warmth of the buffalo skin head...I recommend just practicing hard on whatever head you have until you can produce the sound no matter what...Hope this helps, God bless
prpapito3000 7 months ago
Thank you very much!!!!
djnosugarofficial 1 year ago
hey you are amazing
insidethenine1 1 year ago
your videos are great, thanks. But I must say, you need to burn that shirt dude. =P
Luckiesthusband 1 year ago
Thank you so much Nate Torres - you are a great conga teacher!
Matthiasglobal 1 year ago
hello from Romania!!! I know this "double tumbao"(thats what I like 2 call it) with an finger @ the midle, not an base tone, so it's base-finger-slap-open-open on quinto-finger-open-open on requinto. My question is: Is that correct too or not?(I'm sorry if my english is not so good)
Respect for your work!
UrsulKevlar 2 years ago
Could someone tell me how to correct the open tone?. Mine sounds weak.
amigosjh 2 years ago
You should make sure to keep your fingers close together and aline your knuckle line with the edge of the rim...take a look at my other video for "basic tones" and that should help as well!
prpapito3000 2 years ago
@amigosjh I have the ssame problem:( idk
alexrosalesmusic 1 year ago
Nate Torres videos are very instructive and useful, thanks for share them.
I have some problems with my open, it sounds weak. I have Pearl congas. Could you tell me how to correct it?
amigosjh 2 years ago
this fantasitc teaching
lensach 2 years ago
Thanks...hope they help!
prpapito3000 2 years ago
Much gratitude for your give-a-way on these videos. I am just beginning and feel like I a clutz. You give me some hope.
Djembeze 2 years ago
lol we all can feel that way at times...hope it helps ur progress!
prpapito3000 2 years ago
Whats your postal address? I'll send you some light bulbs :D.
Thanks again for the lesson
m333pm333p 2 years ago
Nate: Thank you for creating such useful videos. I really appreciate that you know a lot but the lessons come across as being very clear and you emphasize what is being taught. Please keep helping us with more videos.
ErnestoA007 2 years ago 2
I will do my best...thanks!
prpapito3000 2 years ago
Hi there Nate!
Greetings from Brazil!
Thanks for the unique videos! Help me a lot to correct some mistakes! Keep on doing this! Latin music congas is everything! The soul, the bones of the rhythm! Thnx
aureomarinho 2 years ago
thas right brother!...keep it up and hope to be of help to you
prpapito3000 2 years ago
Amigo torres, la verdad no entiendo nada de lo que decis, seria mejor en castellano, pero con los movimientos de las manos en camara lenta, es bastante explicito y muy bueno, graciassssssssssss
jorgepikulik 2 years ago
jaja...es bueno por lo meno oir que te puedo ayudar de alguna manera
prpapito3000 2 years ago
Can you show us how to tune the 3 drums? that would be awesome to learn..
deejaioo7 2 years ago
Honestly, its mainly by preference!...lol, but the best thing to do is to try and develop your ear and just continuely attempt to match the pitches w/mine, but what i started out with was listening to Salsa CD's...Check out songs from Marc anthony's "Libre" CD and the conguero there plays 3 congas and it is VERY easy to hear
prpapito3000 2 years ago
nate q chevere,nice gracias por ensenar estas tecnicas
salsabor68 2 years ago
De nada...espero que te sean de bien!
prpapito3000 2 years ago
Hi Nate
what is the name of that movement? I can't understand on my laptop what you are saying. You are incredible dude.
LambdaLuv 3 years ago
Im sorry but what movement are u talking about exactly?
prpapito3000 3 years ago
Great lesson playing on two congas. This will really help me out on getting the right tones and techniques to get faster, but I will not have your baby
gfunk626 3 years ago
lol, thans a lot..and also thanks for clarifying that about not having my baby!
prpapito3000 3 years ago
I want to have your first born!
eramos69 3 years ago
whoa!...first off I hope ur at least a female, lol, and second off thats still pretty weird, but thanks i guess??
prpapito3000 3 years ago
what the FUCK!
christianconefery 3 years ago
you are my first teacher , i saw your videos your are amazing man , i am salvadorean and i like conga, thanks so much , gracias amigo contigo he aprendido mucho sigue asi , ojala publiques mas videos.
carloseliasrodriguez 3 years ago
I know Im late on the response, lol, but Hopefully I will have time to do more!
prpapito3000 2 years ago
Your begining videos were great. They taught me a lot, but I had to put this video #6 down at first because I simply couln't hang. It was way too advanced for me. I finally tried to do it 2 days ago and man I tell you that I was able to handle this one after about 30 minutes of practice. I began playing congas for the 1st time 4 months ago and it wasn't until the other day when I realized that my skills swere starting to improve.
Breal191 3 years ago
Thanks a lot...and its good to hear that you are improving! Keep it up
prpapito3000 3 years ago
u r awesome :) thank u sooo much for these lessons, ur my first conga teacher :)
Fatima74 3 years ago
Thats great to hear!..I know Im late, lol, sometimes it takes me a while to get back to everyone, but I hope by now you have gotten a lot better! Let me know if I can be of any more help
prpapito3000 2 years ago
Just want to say you have helped me a great deal.I have speed but my technique lacks big time.I am interested getting info on Giovanni beings I am a lefty!!I definitely will continue with your lessons though.Have you ever heard of Miguel Anga Diaz?God Bless Benny
cymbol123 3 years ago
Oh of course...Those two are Titans in the Conga playing art. RIP Diaz, but if you follow my videos, get down the technique and then look up to those greats you will be in the right direction! You should also buy one of giovanni's videos on E-bay or something, he shows a lot. Its a VERY advanced way of teaching but if you study it enough trust me it will help!
prpapito3000 3 years ago
Thanks again will search the videos out later in the future.You have been puttin it to me got handle that 1st!!! Peace
cymbol123 3 years ago
lol, not a problem!
prpapito3000 3 years ago
hey Nate..
I think you had done a brilliant job.
I had learned a lot from your videos.
But I have one question..
how do you do the slap with just one hand without putting another hand to bend the pitch like in your first video?
Thanks very much again,Nate
fittrifahmi 3 years ago
Great question!...If you go and watch my first videos and learn the correct way to do a slap then you will see. And do NOT expect to get it right away because it takes A LOT A LOT of practice!...Thanks, and feel free to ask any more questions!
prpapito3000 3 years ago
Excellent Job, I;ve learned a great deal with your videos. They are very detailed and the technique is perfect.
Thanks again.
diver1210 3 years ago
Im super late, but thanks a lot! lol hope everythings going good with you
prpapito3000 2 years ago
Thank You again!!! I've learned so much from watching your series..very cool and it's a ton of FUN learning to play. Thanks again!!!
007SuperchargerJohn 3 years ago
Im super late! lol, but i hope by now you have been progressing a lot, let me know!
prpapito3000 2 years ago
Nate:
Can you PLEASE go over the guaguanco, "Barney Style"??????
daniel4950acting 3 years ago
lol...yea i will try to do that as soon as i get the chance
prpapito3000 3 years ago
wondering if you ever saw the guaguanco...I basically did it because u brought it up! lol
prpapito3000 2 years ago
Hi Nate,
Wow, I absolutely love your videos! Better than spending a fortune on private lessons and instructional videos. With your help I WILL BE THE NEXT SHEILA E IN CONGA TIME! HA, HA, Love ya Nate. From Chicago
lccongas 3 years ago
Im super late on this one...lol, but when you do become the next Sheila E. please dont forget about lil old nate! lol
prpapito3000 2 years ago
hey nate i recently purchased a instructional dvd from one of the best congeros . i know you look after this guy . my only problem is that he is lefty . i m not you got me hook on it again you are great .very easy to understand , keep up the good work . and by the way do not replay to all those haters . god bless
salsahorse 4 years ago
you must be referring to my idol Giovanni Hidalgo?!?! lol...He is definitely great, but your right he is a lefty which kinda sucks for us. But thanks for the compliment and motivation and I definitely dont care about the haters!
prpapito3000 4 years ago
Hi meastro you play verry good !! i also wanna play on 3 conga's ,i have a conga ,tumbao but what must i buy for third conga ? quinto or conga ?
salsaleysner 4 years ago
quinto
prpapito3000 4 years ago
Thank you!!!!! It really is great how you break things down for the beginners...greatly appreciate it.
konigin07 4 years ago
Nate, these are excellent videos. I truly appreciate this. I'd like to learn the Plena and Bomba Basic Rhythms. Also, any hints on tuning the congas will be greatly appreciated. Keep up the great work!
jcperez2000 4 years ago
Nate, good work as always.
I started taking bass lessons and I got off track...for a bit.
Recently I got an awsome deal on a set (quinto and conga) and I have been practicing a bit more.
I would have loved to have a Tumba, but that's why I got the deal.
I was wondering what set up do you have?
Is your main drum a quinto or a conga tuned to a higher pitch?
God bless you bro and keep up the good work.
metanoeos 4 years ago
lol...thats still a good deal. The first set up that is best to have is a quinto and a tumbadora...I then add a conga to the left side and tune it in between. So my main drum is a quinto.
prpapito3000 4 years ago
Good deal bro?
AWSOME deal...a pair of LP Aspire (Santana's) for 200.
God is good! ;) (..as always!)
I cant find a basic salsa pattern for bass.
metanoeos 4 years ago
oh wow, that is real good!...
prpapito3000 4 years ago
Wow, those rhythms are crazy, although I really think that they are all worth while to learn because they sound awesome!
THEspindoctor84 4 years ago
lol...Thanks, they are what you start to learn more in intermediate level playing and also just playing how you feel, that is stuff I have either heard or come up with over the years. Just keep on doing what your doing and you will be doing it too...Take care
prpapito3000 4 years ago
Hi Nate I was wondering if you could say something about how to remember a rythm. Most congueros can't read notes.
So a teacher of mine said if you could sing a pattern you could play it.
Look at the following rytms and try to play them. Please you all could comment:
Rythm
Boom pa, Boom pa,
Boo doom, Boo doom Boo doom
Pra Pra, Boo, doom, Boo doom Boo doom, Pra
The tumbao would be:
Tiki paka Tiki Boom Boom (and start again)
Bongojam
bongojam 4 years ago
Actually your absolutely right! That is the best way to remember it when your not reading music...And those examples you have there are perfect ones to demonstrate that. Just develop your own method and you wont go wrong, its all about personal use!...but thats a great point and thanks for bringing it up!
prpapito3000 4 years ago
Thanks Pal,
now I know I'm on the right track. I know the best cuban bongoceros and congueros never read music. It's all oral tradition, since the African times. I will write some down and if any body is interested I can send them to you. Off course only the traditional ones.
And Nate. Please don't stop with these intruction video's
Bongojam
bongojam 4 years ago
Thanks for another wonderful instructional video! You're a great teacher and you're getting better at it with each video. I love the variations you throw in. You are providing so many rhythms for us to add to our repertoire. Keep up the good work. GBU!
Jakada08 4 years ago
Wow...Sometimes I get amazed at how much I help or how much people really appreciate what I do. Im glad that I can be of assistance...Be blessed as well
prpapito3000 4 years ago
nice. keep up the great work. you're giving all us students plenty of stuff to learn and practice.
mschiemer 4 years ago
Glad to hear that...Hope its enough, and when its not I'll try to bring more! lol, good luck and keep me updated on your progress
prpapito3000 4 years ago
as far as youtube-based instruction, there seems to be a whole lot of good instruction on youtube for beginners, with how to hit the conga (open, slap, etc.) and how to execute the tumbao, etc. We need more for taking it to the next level, and i think your instruction, which is excellent by the way, really starts to take us there with lessons 6 and 7. Keep up the "intermediate" level lessons and thanks for your dedication and your great teaching style.
mschiemer 4 years ago