Drumset Lessons with Jay Fenichel: The Songo - Part 1

In this video, Jay breaks down a popular afro-cuban linear groove: Songo. Don't miss Part 2 of this lesson next week!
Throughout this new lesson series, Vic Firth Artist Jay Fenichel will discuss a variety of popular subjects -- from fills and drum solos to techniques on how to practice smarter, not harder. Each lesson will expose you to concepts that will help develop your drumming skills, whether you're a beginner, intermediate or advanced level player.
Watch for new lessons each week with Jay!
vicfirth.com/ed...
Check out Jay online:
www.thedrummers...

[@999NINE99]

I hope kids of today realize what an incredible resource this is. Growing up in small town USA, I would have had to travel far and pay a hefty amount for this level of instruction that is now free.

[@elroyselma5005]

true

[@alexsiuwh]

Best illustrated clave ever seen plus great timing notation. Great great tutorial video

[@tangarden9750]

Thanks! Good and easy to understand lesson. I don’t play in a group anymore but I enjoy learning new grooves at age 69.

[@lisastix]

Great video! I really like how the notation is below. It makes it easier to follow along. Keep the videos coming!

[@CraigHawthorne]

Thank you I'm generally a rock and funk drummer but I learned the samba recently and also sat down and learned this today. It's real nice although I may never have a use for it. Now just to get it comfortable past 130 bpm.

[@CraigHawthorne]

I seen your part 2 there but haven't had a chance behind the kit to practice it further. What sort of tempo is this generally played at?

[@larryherbert252]

What great instruction(s), l really like that the music is up on the screen as well, l learn better on drums when the beat is written out and explained as well. Keep up the good work.

[@paulbaker5205]

Nice job! Great breakdown of the elements for anyone to understand.

[@EdwardAllenCanada]

Terrific instruction thx 👍🏼🥁👍🏼

[@leonhabib7202]

Great lesson

[@AquaAnim]

awesome lesson and great playing!

[@tdoti101yt]

Awesome- nicely done.

[@jarrahdrum]

Excellent teacher. Thank you

[@stevendandrea9528]

Dude you know how to teach! Great lesson!

[@Thedrummersalmanac]

Thanks Steve! ...and I know you are one of my TDA members. I hope it's going well for you and your playing is getting stronger. Def. keep in touch and let me know how you are doing with the site... and thanks for the support and feedback!

[@dgroogle1]

This was amazing! I'm just getting back into drumming after my accident. I caught onto this without a problem. Thanks Jay. Now I just need to get a metronome. Why are linear rhythms called linear if they have nothing to do with being linear?

[@odenyamegodfred3313]

You have made my day

[@giuseppemodena4677]

Congratulecion very nice , thank you

[@georgescrehange6105]

Thanks a lot Jay...It is very funny. I am sixty eight but with you what a pleasure to begin again for all my pleasure... Thanks again... a french from Marseille

[@hugolintasiaux598]

very understandable thank you !

[@bluejazzcat]

Great lesson, great teacher. Wonder if you can post lessons on mambo and other African Cuban rhythms used by jazz drummers in many jazz standards (like in many recordings of Horace Silver, etc). Thank you very much. Cheers from Brazil!! CB

[@Thedrummersalmanac]

Yeh bluejazzcat... Eventually I plan on doing all of those... If not here at VicFirth, Definitely on my site.

[@garye4678]

Well done Jay. I like the way you've broken it down step by step. The notation is also very cool. What program do you use to highlight the notes in time with your demonstration, it makes the lesson fool proof for beginners.

[@Thedrummersalmanac]

Thanks Gary... I'd have to ask my graphic arts guy, but I believe its just a standard video editing software like adobe premier or Final cut.

[@garye4678]

It's really good for the Audio Visual effect. A person can't go wrong following along to it.

[@vintagemxer9165]

Well described how to easily get the Songo down.

[@alexisortegamusic]

They are only 2 cuban claves : Son Clave and Rumba Clave that it blessings to all

[@jpb93360]

It's "rumba" clave and the creator of the concept of songo is the great josé luis Quintana "changuito". Documental La Historia Del Songo Changuito

[@BeSalsa]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5XQnKl_apqHfrs

[@algred]

Great lesson but the time signature is wrong🤓

[@dimmerkam7783]

Like

[@aurelio1204]

I didn't know Peewee Herman played drums.

[@Thedrummersalmanac]

LOL... I also get Kermit D. Frog!!!

[@user-ms3rs8ic5g]

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[@mininoelrojo18]

Promoción grill lesbian party

[@philmaturanodrums]

yeah...Sorry man....This is not songo. Nor is it based in linear grooves. Man...I'm sorry bro but there is so much misinformation here.

[@Thedrummersalmanac]

Hey Phil... First off, let me say I am a fan of your playing. You're doing some great stuff. Would you mind explaining where you think I went wrong in this vid? This version of the Songo is the groove at it's most basic and with no accent set-ups. (That's in the next vid). I know it has evolved a long way from the original Changuito version which is not linear like this version, but this is the way most modern drummers are learning, playing, and teaching this groove. As far as this linear format it is how I was originally taught by Kim Plainfield and Richie Morales back in the day ...not to mention a ton of books use this exact notation. I am curious as to what you see here as misinformation. I'd love to learn something new if there's something I've missed, maybe I can follow it up on a separate video lesson or we can do something together. This is Vicfirth's channel, but you can reach me on my channel if you want to continue the conversation with me directly. Thanks, Phil. kzbin.info

[@philmaturanodrums]

Hi bratha Jay. Thank you for the kind words. I hope I can be constructive with this and that you don't feel bad. Its just that the grooves IMHO should be taught the right way or it can cost someones reputation if they ever play this on a gig. MORE then anything...the language you are using in general is not Afro Cuban. Next the clave you are using is son clave. This groove is not used in son. And then the original groove as others have mentioned here is from Changuito. It's very different then what you are playing. You can say in your explanation something like "This is my fun rock version of Songo" So people don't think this is how one would play it on a gig. The biggest issue of all though is the language. There is no Afro Cuban feel there. So maybe just start from there. In general its pointless to start from the "beats" if you are not familiar with Afro Cuban vocabulary. I hope that helps. Many greetings from Da Bronx! :)

[@philmaturanodrums]

Also the explanation of clave is not accurate. Its a really really detailed study when you get into this genre and lots of fun. So why not dive in all the way and make it happen. Big hugs.

[@Thedrummersalmanac]

Really appreciate that Phil! ...and feelings don't matter when it comes to learning as long as the feedback is constructive, so no worries there my friend. Thanks for taking the time. Very interesting... You say this groove is not used in son? ...No one has ever actually explained that to me, at least in an authentic situation. I was taught that the son clave was more of an original style and the rumba evolved later... but the two were basically interchangeable. I'd like to explore that a little more. Maybe next time I'm in NY I can get a lesson if you'd be willing. I've never really been a purist when it comes to any drumming style, but I'd still like to know the rules in order to break them... (had many arguments with Kim about this. Which he usually won. R.I.P. Kim) I know there are tons of variations on this groove, including the Changuito version and I've even developed some of my own. This tutorial is designed to just get drummers introduced to the groove at it's most basic level. It wasn't really meant to go deep into the Afro-cuban style, but that's something I'd love to do one day. As far as the clave' I do have some lessons devoted to just that rhythm. I'd love for you to check them out and let me know if they can be improved upon.(kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJbXp596hJZ6a7s) Eventually, for my website, I'd love to do a whole Afro-Cuban deep dive. Thanks Phil... I'm from NY... so next time I'm in town, let's hook up! I'd love to pick your brain.

[@angeloantonioapruzzese9859]

Pessimo