Here you have an explanation on the “Timbales”, their elements (cymbal, Cha-Cha and Mambo cowbells) and how to position yourself.   Commentary: I am going to play Timbales, an instrument that I respect a lot. My major is the Conga/Bongos, and

The master Giovanni shows you the first variation of the “Cáscara” pattern for Timbales, with a slow second part, in order to show you the movements of your hands on the “Hembra” and the resulting sound.   Commentary: Now, letR

The master Giovanni shows you how to apply the Cha-Cha’s lead-in or pickup notes, called “Abanico.” He also demonstrates their different variations, at a normal tempo as well as at slower tempos, so that you can understand the placement of th

Here you have the first variation for “Timbales” in the “Mambo” pattern with cowbell, where Giovanni shows you the different possibilities.   Commentary: I am going to play a pattern of Mambo style on the cowbell, the big cowbell a

Here you have two variations for “Timbales” in 6/8 with cowbell, in which Giovanni shows you the different possibilities.   Commentary: So, like when you do 6/8, at the begining in the early days, they used the 6/8, a part of the cymbal, on th

Here you have two variations of the Cha-Cha pattern with cowbell, in which the master Giovanni shows you the different possibilities of applying the “Cáscara”.   Commentary: When you change to the cowbell, Cha-Cha cowbell to play Cha-Cha R

Here you have two variations of the “Plena” pattern with “Timbales”, in which the master Giovanni shows you the different ways of its application.   Commentary: I am going to play a rhythm, coming from Puerto Rico, where I come fro

Here you have the second and third variation of the “Boogaloo” pattern for “Timbales” with the cymbal. Interesting pattern for Pop or Rock and Roll.   Commentary: What I am doing over here, I am combining two of them, one is…

Your first Mambo pattern with “Martillo”. Giovanni combines a serie of beats: Hembra, martillo, fingers, half palm and ghost to complete this pattern. Notice the type of accentuation and the placement of the Hembra (female) on the fourth beat. &nbs

Here you have the first of a group of exercises based on the “Cáscara A” patterns, very common in Latin music. Giovanni plays it with two tempos, fast and slow, in order for you to understand well this two-bar pattern.   Commentary: In the ea

Your first exercise for Bongo on the Afro pattern. Note how the master Giovanni uses the 4/4 pattern based on eighth notes with a sixteenth note on the first quarter note of the bar. With Hembra, Martillo, Fingers, half palm and ghost beats.   Commentary:

Your first exercise on the Cowbell. The great master Giovanni explains how to hold this instrument and to position the hand to achieve different sounds. In this first exercise, you work with the Son/Salsa pattern.   Commentary: The way that you hold the c