Conga Lesson 4: Basic Tumbao/Rhythm For Salsa- Nate Torres

[aaliyahraks]

thank you so much for making these tutorials they are fantastic!

[prpapito3000]

@aaliyahraks no problem thats what im here for!

[MrDanny0802]

What's up nate, Just got giovanni palladiums congas , I've always wanted to learn how to play. I have to say I learn to play by watching your videos. You brake it down and make it very easy to learn. I'm still learning, I hope to see more videos future. Thanks so much (danny from spanish harlem)

[prpapito3000]

@MrDanny0802 Thas real good to hear bro...I'm jealous that you got such good drums! lol but keep practicing and doing your thing (Nate from Queens!)

[smccoli3141]

Mad chops dude. That ending was sick.

[AnascoNice]

For sure!!

[AnascoNice]

If you are close, can you hook a brother up with some private lessons?

[prpapito3000]

@AnascoNice Hey bro sorry about that, but I actually moved to NYC a little over a month ago....But I still go back to VA for breaks and holidays, we can set something up for Thanksgiving or Winter break

[AnascoNice]

Where at in VA? I'm in Yorktown/hamptom.

[grammabb00]

You are a very good teacher and player...I will be using your videos often as I learn to play...thank you so much!!! I play bass guitar and flute a bit, my husband plays guitar quite well....so looking forward to learning and adding percussion to the mix. (Barbie 47, WI)

[watersent23]

Bro...you are a great teacher. Im 43 and just started. Gonna practice with you everyday!!!! On my new Pearl Congas. 

[watersent23]

Nate Bro...this has helped me so much!! I just bought Pearl Primero Congas. I know not top of the line but great for a beginner i hope. Im having so much fun. Im 43 and just started!! Can you say bucket list. :) Im practicing everyday with your video. Cangas to day and dreads tomorrow. Keep um coming!! Jah Bless, Nancy Botwin.

[nainaig]

Fantastic ! Thank you very much !

[7Jesucristosetsufree]

Hi nate, thank you for putting this teachings. UR VIDS ARE ONE OF THE BEST ON YOUTUBE. YOU REALLY CAN EXPLAIN SO GOOD. GOD BLESS AND PROTECT YOU. MAY THE LORD JESUS USE YOU FOR HIS GLORY. THANK YOU.

[compete2play]

WOw, good stuff bro. Are you in NY?

[prpapito3000]

@compete2play currently in VA but plan on moving up to NY by next fall!

[PETEYPABLO1977]

you are cool great video a pleasure to follow you that is awesome

[troutmask1970]

thank you Nate

[checkabreak]

great !! thanks for the help !!

[Domsta333]

You use the whole hand instead of heel. Do you find that easier?

[lionelvillahermosa]

***excellent***

[kefuego]

does anyone know what salsa songs this beat is used in ??? please reply back

[prpapito3000]

@kefuego Its pretty much just a typical salsa pattern used in just about any latin inspired song

[slayerwax]

wow... thi is cool :)) i practice this and it work :P thx, your are so good ...good luck for the future

[MrBassDestroyer]

Chembe uses 2 opens - Cha cha cha!

[jman811psp]

thanks for your time on this! cool.

[borojos]

to much words

[prpapito3000]

@borojos ???

[jouflow]

@borojos

hahahahaha este vato xD

[Dedhedted71]

Can conga techniques be used on a Djembe drum?

[closingcross]

Nate, I play regular drums and grew up with this music my whole life but could never play it. You break it down so simply and complete where anyone who desires to play can do it. Thank you for doing these videos and may you have great success in your craft.

[drbethjohn]

I can't thank you enough for putting together these videos. You are so clear and teach in a very logical way.

[smizzles716]

hey im jst starting to practice wit the conga n i been using ur video's to learn n it helps so much u do a great job at it keep on goin lol

[prpapito3000]

im glad to hear that!

[isamas]

I love this series of videos. Thanks for putting in your time and effort!!

[yaramaca]

Hi!

Cool that you spread latin percussions, however, I think the double open hits come to fast which makes it sound like different rhythm and not the way it should. Poncho Sanches does it the right way in the video "Poncho Sanchez- Fundimentals of Latin Music- Conga"

Have a nice day!

[prpapito3000]

uhhhh naw i think the double open is jus fine! lol

[Luckiesthusband]

@yaramaca uhm, i just watched the video you mentioned and he does a double.

[simonaberger]

Just got my congas..2 of them!

Having a hard time with my "slap".. can't seem to get your sound no matter how.... Your videos are great though. love your lessons. Need to practice! Thanks :)

[prpapito3000]

thats ok, to be honest it can take most people MONTHS to develop the slap the way it should sound...just keep at it!

[simonaberger]

Thanks, well, I hope it will not take me that long! Spending hours hours playing now, I love it!.. Sometimes I hear it coming right .. not sure why. ;-) The tumbao is in my hands anyway, with two variations, pretty fast, but not like you..... yet ;) How many lessons do you have here, can not seem to find any others, they are great! :) Thanks again!

[simonaberger]

Sorry, found the no 6, got something to work with! :-)

[juhanleemet]

Good stuff! I'm learning a lot. One "interesting" thing I noticed is that the "hand" on the downbeats 1 and 3 produce a kind of "pulse", and they sound like more of a bass tone on my quinto (on a stand). Is that the right way to think of it? LIke a "pulse" on the downbeat, and slap and open tones on the backbeat? BTW, I can now recognize the tumbao moderno, as in a Gloria Estefan tune I heard recently: there it was! Large as life!

[prpapito3000]

You make a good point...it does kind of provide a solid "pulse" you could say!...and thats great to hear, hope you continue to progress!

[roysartstudio]

Can you demonstrate the gliss technique? I cant get the vibration going ...Roy swenson

[prpapito3000]

im not exactly sure what your talking about...could you elaborate more? Thank you

[checkfoldcallraise]

amazing skill. que buen maestro tambien!

[1eveready]

prpapito3000,man you got skills. I just got my drums a week ago and I need to thank you and please continue helping us out

[intrinsicx]

Thank's for the lesson Nate! I learned a lot :)

[prpapito3000]

Thanks for the feedback...I try to do them as instructionally sound as possible with the student in mind...Hope to hear more good things from you in the future

[kwalms]

great format for a video tutorial. keep it up!!

[sirasy]

just finished to work in the kitchen???

[prpapito3000]

wat?

[Crasher2929]

This is very good man

[enielon]

Nice work!

[seeeingred]

Great lessons thanks! Helped me a lot.

[lunigal]

Mi Cher, Wow you are a natural teacher. Your demeanor and voice are both so pleasant and easy on the senses. Do you narrarate other vids? Just wondering. Anyway you make it easy to follow you and the production I find very pleasing. Love to you and yours, Luna

[prpapito3000]

wow thanks a lot...that is the best compiment i think ive ever gotten! lol...but im glad to hear that you enjoy it, and i have other videos on my page you can check out as well...Thank you

[lunigal]

Mi Cher, you so easy to listen to and follow. So glad to find you here on YT. A new fan for sure, Luna

[schutzelb]

Great teacher. You are amazing compared to others online. Bless you for doing this. I teach music, so I appreciate that you can demonstrate what to do on demand, and make it work every time. Like the demonstrations slow enough for beginners and increasing in speed. You are giving freely of life, love, hope, and joy to people this way.

[jesamani75]

i like your technique and your teaching style,very good man.

[jujubeejeff123]

im improving

[jujubeejeff123]

im improving

[huasocongusto]

You are the best instructor on here!

[prpapito3000]

lol, dont know all about that, but thanks for the compliment and hope all these videos can be of great help to you!

[hebfagjab]

hey

i'm just starting out and would like to thank you for the time you've taken to share your talent. I think your marvelous

[babadushkaboy]

Thanks for sharing bro!

[babadushkaboy]

Thanks for sharing bro.

[Bongorilla100]

You clearly do know what you are doing, and as you also know, it's always the anonymous people who live to be critical. They are hiding behind their own insecurity. There is a reason DumbDumb1990 has no video up. He's not as good as you! You play and teach very well!

[prpapito3000]

lol thanks, i appreciate ur support!

[Dwade6894]

Nate, just keep sharing your skills; don't ming the jealousy displayed by those who think they know just because they know someone who knows. Who cares who Emil Something is!! Mean spirited people will try to discourage you because they don't have the guts to go on video to display the abilities. Why? Because they feel inadecuate, that is why the hide behing someelse's name to "bark" their mean spirited comments.

Keep on doing what you have been doing! Good luck in your endeavors!

[loco4u63]

+1... keep slaping with a merry heart and don't look to the critics. One thing is for sure, you have the groove!!!

Blessings!

[shogunemperor]

Nate, from your playing, I can roughly gauge who your teachers were..... just thank the other guy bragging about his teacher and ignore him my bro.... there is this function call..."block user"

[prpapito3000]

lol thanks man...Yea there are always haters, i just let them speak there mind here, thanks for lookin out bro!

[prpapito3000]

Actually anyone who knows me knows that im the most humble musician...I dont mind taking CONSTRUCTIVE criticism but look at the way you initially came off saying "This guy doesnt know what hes doing!"...and yes, im normally more open to citicism from those who know what they talking about, would you go to a mechanic for medical advice?!?! Think not

[prpapito3000]

lol...Definitely KNOW that I am not the best nor do I claim to be...I just know that I do know what Im talking about and what I do...and your so successful, I wouldnt doubt that, I actually am proud of up and coming percussionist, but I still have yet to see any demonstration of your skills or technique. So until you show me that you can even attempt to teach me or anyone else a thing or two you might wanna keep your comments to yourself, however if you do ill gladly take them!

[prpapito3000]

haha...just like I thought...coattail off of another person who teaches you...Ive had better teachers so what are you getting at?

[prpapito3000]

did you even know that when recording in a studio no matter how "on" tempo you try to be you will ALWAYS be off, even the best players, thats why they use metronomes...however, when playing live you dont need them because you follow each other/yourself...learn a thing or two before you talk please

[prpapito3000]

lol, thanks for the back up bro...

[prpapito3000]

Thanks!

[prpapito3000]

uhh...I would have to disagree with you on that...yes, you shouldnt cup your hand excessively however the correct technique is cupping your hand to produce a clean slap and it really doesnt produce any type of "bad callus"...thanks tho

[lleins12]

this sound can be use and any kind of music .

[prpapito3000]

yea thats the beauty of it!...Its a great and versatile rhythm

[lawry29]

nice slap

[vannakam781]

And the sound is noticeably different when you strike the drum with the ball of your hand rather than with a flat palm. It almost sounds like a rim shot instead of that real bassy thump. I tried to correct my technique and strike with the palm, then tap with the fingers (and repeat) all in one motion, like los congueros mas famosos del mundo, but it is difficult. So, like you, I end up sacrificing sound for speed.

[vannakam781]

I should also point out that your form is incorrect. When you watch Giovanni or Changuito or Mongo or Poncho roll, they strike the drum head first with a flat palm then lift the fingers & tap. You strike the drum head with the ball of your hand, almost on the underside of your wrist. This makes the roll easier, as your wrist is acting as a fulcrum/lever. Rolling so far down on the hand, it is easier to gain speed. Actually, I do the same thing- just wanted to point out to conguero purists.

[prpapito3000]

well i definitely demonstrate it the way you just mentioned, like giovanni and changuito!...My entire hand goes first then fingers! thanks tho

[vannakam781]

I'm faster. I can also switch up and reverse so that my right is rolling with my left on the open slap. Back and forth- left rolling slap right/ right rolling slap left- reverse tumbao.  Then roll both right and left at once with no slap at all. There's always someone faster dude.

[prpapito3000]

Son, I never tried to say I was the best or the fastest!..I know that Im not, but if your so much better then please feel free to post your own videos and not watch mine

[juliancro]

holy sheet...this is great..your speed is amaizing.. :)

[prpapito3000]

Thanks...always room for improvement tho, definitely not as fast as I should or could be

[rockinoutpopstargirl]

ur right man. And that isn't even mambo!

[prpapito3000]

huh? lol

[shogunemperor]

Nate, could you do a video with the whole range of congas? (pretty please?)

[prpapito3000]

Im not sure what ur question is?...

[shogunemperor]

Ok, nevermind, I found it in lesson 6. Didnt notice that there were more! GREAT VIDEOS!!! GREAT JOB!

[prpapito3000]

lol thanks! hope they help

[ilbesa]

Hey Nate,

thanks A TON for your lessons, they're awesome!!

I've a question about the tumbao technique:

on the 5th beat I see that you lift your hand up when you show the moves.

But when you play fast I see that you keep the hand down and you mark the 5th with the back of the palm...

What is the best technique when the speed increase??

I hope I explain myself :-)

Thanks!

[ilbesa]

Nate, do you got my question? :)

[prpapito3000]

hey sorry!...I have been very busy with school and other things, however, to answer your question I still lift up my hand its just that since you go faster you have to keep it lower...or you can just raise ur fingers and rest the base of your palm on the edge...your choice! hope that helps, let me know if you have any more questions

[CasaMini]

Gracias for your videos. Very informative and I'm getting better at my congas everyday.

Keep 'em coming.

CasaMini

[Whalegroover]

you rock dude! thanks so much for these lessons.

wow I LOVE the conga :):)

[kdiazio]

Nate, I've been relaxing for quite a while now and I just wanted to let you know that thanks to your vids I found searching the internet t got be inspired again to play the congas. Thank you.

[kdiazio]

Nate, I've been relaxing for quite a while now and I just wanted to let you know that thanks to your vids I found searching the internet t got be inspired again to play the congas. Thank you.

[prpapito3000]

lol, hope you continue!

[madtiger111]

Thanks, bro.

[prpapito3000]

no doubt

[emboxer2269]

unless your rich an money is no object.anyway long story short 2 months later an 320$ down the drain cause all i got was the tumbao.i quit the school i dont have money to burn. anyway thanks to you i started practicing again keep up the good work.you really do make a difference in peoples lives.nate god bless

[prpapito3000]

lol...sounds like a crazy story! But im glad you started up again and hope to hear some more positive from you in the future

[emboxer2269]

thks for the free lessons ..really im a student of the boys harbor in n.y. c . an i can say from exprience all their after is money ..40$ for 30 mins 1 time a week . iv been doing the tumbao for 2 months an they dont believe in teaching anything else if your not perfect. at that rate youll never make it as a conguero.

[sugardaddygio]

oh thanx man...im new so yea...u christian rite

[prpapito3000]

lol, no problem...and yes I am!

[sugardaddygio]

wats da quinto?

[prpapito3000]

it is the smallest drum that you use as the main one

[murderedmyfaith]

the fifth!

[Zzzauna]

you play very well try tu put other more difficult rythms no basics

=)

[prpapito3000]

lol, thank you. Go check out the rest of my videos and if you still want something more difficult then let me know what you're looking for and I'll do it

[sugardaddygio]

hey is that da bass drum?? or da other one/?

[prpapito3000]

no...its actually the quinto 11"

[54spiritedwill54]

I loved conga after watching your videos.

[prpapito3000]

lol, thank you! Never heard that one before, but im glad

[eduguicat]

tremendo trabajo muy pedagógico!! continua asi muchas gracias.

[prpapito3000]

lol...Sounds to me like someone is a str8 rookie. Now I am obviously not the best conguero, nor do I claim to be, but I am on a level suit to teach and I have played in many venues probably more then you will ever be able to at this point. So try learning what your talking about before you go talking about it!

[prpapito3000]

I would love to see you play so that I could take some notes and learn how to keep time! So please let me know when you do

[petermunch]

This video for beginners... not for people likes mocking other percussionists (because they really are insecure). Thank you to Papito for posting the video.

Peter Munch

[clc38]

Excelente! On my first day of practice I could play along to my favourite slow mambo/on2 salsa songs. That's without any previous percussion experience. Gracias!

[prpapito3000]

Thas really great to hear...I hope to hear a lot more positive from you in the future as well!

[Lianabanana88]

yeah! and he's doing an awesome job too! im learning alot!

[prpapito3000]

Thanks

[emmerton]

hey man.. fuck those haters!! they just dont have the confidence to make their own vids.. writing negative Comments is soo ridiculous!! you all have to be happy to get so nice lessons from this cool guy!! he took his time for you fuckers to make you a better conga players or to show basic skills for new players.. teacher want money for it and their dvds.. he not!!! just shut your mouth

[prpapito3000]

lol..thanks man

[prpapito3000]

Its ok...I enjoy the hate because all it does is make me look better! To say that I have no tempo or dont know what I am doing? wow, nice try...but its all good

[marcos84g]

thanks for putting the video up! i thought it was great. I wouldn't stress over the negative comments.. People can be werid on YouTube. Its like people have nothing better to do then talk trash about stuff they are not even paying for!!!

Keep up the good work!

-marcos

[Bebo101]

HOW DARE U INSULT THE MASTER!!!!!!!!

[daniel4950acting]

Hey Nate, I just bought me the quinto/conga from meinl. I got the professional series in brown and burl. Do they come tuned or do I have to fine tune them? If I have to tune them how do I do it???

Daniel, San Diego - California

[prpapito3000]

thats great to hear...and no matter what congas you get you need to tune them and also detune them everytime you play. You tune them right before you begin to the desired pitch and once you finish playing/performing you need to detune to keep the life of the head and hardware!...Just make sure you tune them evenly all the way around

[daniel4950acting]

Yo Nate, thanks alot for your lessons. I have moved along pretty good with your lessons. You break it down like an organic compound.. Nice.. good job, keep it up kid.

[prpapito3000]

lol, thanks a lot...just keep a look out for me in the future as well.

[prpapito3000]

thats great to hear! lol...but why would they get deleted? Just continue forward and hope to hear some progress from you in the future as well ;)

[AmigaRemixes]

I loved conga after watching your videos. Soon I'll get my fingers swollen from practicing :) Thanks

[prpapito3000]

thats great...keep it going!

[insanlemah]

hey, i bought a crappy conga, and i'm thinking of changing the conga head.

its a 10" head, and the brand is stagg.

can i change it to an LP head?

[prpapito3000]

well the problem with that is that LP doesn't make a 10" head, because their quintos are 11"...However, they have a beginner series called LP Aspire, and you can maybe change it to that but it may not sound much better then the one you have already.

[silvertone953]

thank you very much for your videos, they're very helpful! i've been playing percussion for many years but not so much latin percussion - mostly kit and some tuned - but i really want to improve my latin skills so thanks again for the videos (and also all your helpful responses)!

[prpapito3000]

No problem, I try to be as resourceful and helpful as possible because I really had to work hard to gain the knowledge I did. I didnt have anyone to look at and ask a lot of questions to, so I want to help in anyway possible...

[Hippodill]

Grr! I've been watching ur vidz - great!

But I've been trying to play this rythm for a while now, but it just don't sound even close to as pro as when u play it. Does the rythm sound bttr if I practice even more on the hits?

[prpapito3000]

lol...Well, keep in mind that I have been playing the SAME rhythm over and over for years and years! And of course it helps to do exercises with just the sounds, I actually still do them till this day...So its always something you should do...Any more questions then feel free to ask, good luck, and keep me posted

[thirdbornfilms]

hello nate another question for you. how hard should you hit the conga? thanks for what you're doing.

[prpapito3000]

and thats a great question...just hit it to where you feel comfortable...Eventually you will develop better hands and will be able to hit it as you desire, and remember also that you need to adjust to with whomever your playing...Happy drumming!

[thirdbornfilms]

i have searched the web a lot for conga lessons and then found you, a breath of fresh air. quién era usted insperation? also when will the series on tuning be out and or will you be making a dvd series? much love from canada.

[prpapito3000]

Thanks so much, I'm glad to be of assistance...And its actually a big coincidence that you say that cause I am about to record one now on tuning...and if I do come out with a DVD it will be maybe in a couple months or years! lol...Sorry, but maybe the door will be open for me in the future?

[prpapito3000]

No Problem...and thanks

[prpapito3000]

sounds great!...I'll try and get to that this week if I have time, because I have studying to do for my finals..lol...take care

[prpapito3000]

thats great..I hope you enjoy these and the rest I will put in the future!...Keep on drumming.

[rueroman]

i just caught the series and i have to say that you really have a talent for instructing conga. i have paid for lessons (private) and i did not get as much as i did from watching you. keep up the good work. I just subscribed. from NYC rudy

[prpapito3000]

Well Im really glad to hear such positive feedback really I didnt expect it to be such a "Crowd pleaser" lol...But its all in the approach, I tried to start private lessons but they werent that successful for certain reasons, but keep in touch to let me know what you like or wanna see...Take care

[AdarshMZ]

Hey, nice videos. How long have you been playing? I'm thinking of getting myself a set, how does 11" and 12" LP Aspire suit a learner?

Thanks

[prpapito3000]

Thanks a lot, and ive been playing for approximately nine years now...and the set your referring to is ok for beginners of course, and it is actually the beginners series. However, realize that you will lack sound quality and if you plan on being serious about it I would advise for you to go a bit higher, maybe lp matador series. Thanks for your comments and anything else then feel free to respond.

[AdarshMZ]

At the moment I'm juggling things with college so I'm not really sure about a higher investment but anyway, the LP Aspires come as a set of congas with the stand included, are these actually a tumbadora and conga, doesn't mention on their site? Sorry I'm a noob. Thanks again.

[prpapito3000]

Hey man, I hear you on that cause I'm in the exact same position you are!...Luckily I've had mine for years and just have to change the heads...so really to just begin Aspires are fine, I started out with aspire bongos myself...and They actually arent a tumbadora or conga because the sizes are totally unorthadox from regular conga drums :(...lol, but they can still be tuned like a quinto and tumbadora if you do it right!...Any more questions or concerns just let me know, ttyl

[Jakada08]

Superb! Thanks for all of your information. I can't wait for video 5. I have plenty to practice until then.

[prpapito3000]

Not a problem...Glad you like them, and just subscribe to my videos and keep your eyes peeled for my next one!

[prpapito3000]

I imagine your referring to when I speed it up? lol, sorry :(...but I had to have some fun at the end!...And you need to put an updated video soon!

[prpapito3000]

Yeah, if you practice the slap over and over eventually you'll get it...and when you do man, your gonna love it! lol...and just subscribe to me and I plan on having more up within a couple of days...

[metanoeos]

Can't wait for video 5!

This is good stuff!

[prpapito3000]

It will be coming soon....and if you have any specifics you want then let me know brother, im here to help!

[metanoeos]

Nate, I semi-figured out u are a believer...

do you congragate?

I live in Queens, and go to a church in Corona, NY.

When is part 5 coming up?

[prpapito3000]

lol...how did you figure that one? Cause your right. And unfortunately, although I was born in the Bronx I go to school in VA now, so I probably couldn visit on the regular....and part 5 may be within a week or so, whenever I get some extra free time on my hands, sorry for the wait.