How To Do The Patato Groove

It's Monday and let's talk about a very known groove by the one and only Carlos "Patato" Valdes. I "attempted" to show how I do his known groove, but of course there are many variations to his grooves throughout the years. To keep in mind... his Tumbaos are one of the most timeless Tumbao's you'll ever hear and to even attempt to imitate them is the legacy Patato gave us. What's your Favorite?
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[@dimitrihernandez2658]

Patato brought melody to the conga. Patato yTotico 1968 album with Arsenio on tres and Cachao on contra bajo (upright base) is a must have for any serious conguero. As always you do your homework and share it openly. Great job!

[@ernestomoralesroman2110]

Don't forget Virgilio Marti

[@richardolivo4051]

I have been watching your videos and have enjoyed how precise you are on all styles of different drummers. I appreciate you giving your talent to those like myself who aspire to be a good drummer, but not finding themselves yet having the skills to be identified as an individual with their own style. I appreciate the mixture of techniques and nothing but love to you for giving up your time in doing so. I really appreciate you man keep up the good work.

[@julianescudero5857]

Thank you so much for this one bro! Patato was such a smooth player, definitely one of my favorites, thank for breaking this grove down. now Ima get to work!

[@ronrobbins2737]

I was so lucky to watch (and study) Patato's playing way back in the day when he was with Willie Bobo in the 70's. I was playing trumpet with L.A.'s "Tierra" at the time and doubled on congas with them. Too bad no cell-phone videos back then! Actually way before cell-phones, period.

[@WORKAHOLICNEURON]

Thanks to you for the great teaching and to Benitez and Carlos for the legacy. As you mentioned: when a player transition from one instrument to another; it takes son technics from that 1st instrument to another one and the results are remarkable.

[@leedsaxman]

Great touch and explanation. Inspiriing and respectful. Keep up the great stuff The melodic aspect was made beautifully clear.

[@jimmiranda7181]

i had it, lost it . had it it lost it had it. Bro your channel kicks!

[@seanhensel-coe7792]

Eric! Your channel is hands down the BEST thing on the internet maan! Patatos was a dude and you're an absolute legend for breaking this groove down. Really appreciate it bro

[@mandarrajput3830]

You are amazing bro..

[@Карлос-у8н]

Excellent Master !!! Amazing explanation !!! Thank you Master!!!

[@michaelshimmin]

Thanks for this amazing lesson!

[@exposingyouthetruth6443]

You’re my hero. Best Conga Tutorials out there! Big thanks man (-:

[@chrispantazi81]

Thank you Eric for another great post!!!. It’s now about 11pm EST and after 4 hours of practice and technique (on top of just having an off day) I was getting a bit tired and my focus was lacking. However, was continuing to watch Giovanni explain this pattern and trying to figure it out at 0.5 speed with all the subtle nuances he throws in. Then, I thought I need to check A percussion life and see if he has an explanation. Well, let’s just say your video provided a satisfying end to a slightly frustrating night of practice. Thanks again....

[@APercussionLife]

Hahaha thank you!

[@bjornar70]

Great educational videos! Love your artist groove profiles (Potato, Barretto, Poncho). Keep 'em coming! Greetings from Norway!

[@APercussionLife]

Bjørnar Søreng thank you!!!

[@bmuhamad]

Absolutely lovely my brother. Simple as that.

[@ThePremiseSC]

I literally looked up if there was a Patato Valdez book on Amazon and I was ready to order and read lol

[@blairmacewancrosbie8646]

Greetings Eric. Another really interesting, enjoyable and informative video. What a lovely pattern and groove. It is my next learning project and I have started practicing the basic bass rhythm already. Thanks for the Monday post and look forward to many more..Cheers.

[@APercussionLife]

Thank you!!

[@gregoryjohnson4538]

i think u should explain flams n paras for people who arent mebbe as advanced.... ur a drummer great job yung man

[@WORLDDRUMCLUB]

Nice video and topic. Patato was the man. He did a lot of great music with Totico, which everyone can get on iTunes, is addition to his solo albums. I need to work this groove up!

[@julioparedes6797]

Hermano me encantan tus vídeos, un abrazo y sigue con ellos!!! Un abrazo desde Barcelona!!!

[@TheStudeo74]

Amazing

[@talirondon]

Great job. Very educational

[@alainhoarau3213]

Nice to hear you - and about respect for those who build about afro -cuban rhyth and groove and more...:-)

[@MarimbaPop]

very helpful, thanks man!

[@APercussionLife]

Marimba Pop thank you!

[@ktalino787]

He played the 3s cubano also

[@aieandiopsots6142]

Weasome. Just a love transmitting lesson! With conga antenas. Que viva la musica Latina, que viva Patato y que Dios te bendiga Maestro por transmitir ese amor por la música.

[@JuanCarlosMelian]

Buena onda Eric! Todo lo mejor!!

[@josegoicuria3372]

A Percussionist life, like, like and like a whole lot. Kinda sounds to me like a jazzy Guaguanco. Which brings me to asking if you would some day give us instructions on playing a basic guaguanco conga groove. Would also be much appreciated. Thanks for sharing what I know is lots of work and time ...is $. So, I'm really grateful.

[@APercussionLife]

jose goicuria I’ve been getting a lot of requests for Guaguanco... so I think I’m going to have to do one soon. Haha

[@vwrivera]

I had the fortune of seeig Patato perform in New York a few times and met him once. His collaboration with Jose Mangual on the tune "Massacote" from the album Understanding Latin Rhythms showcases his style.

[@MrDoudou972]

Very good tutorial bro', thanks. Gros bless you.

[@josegoicuria3372]

Really enjoy your humor, conga instructions and the kid is in the picture. Kid plays a mean drum. Apple doesn't fall far. Not long ago I acquired an interest in repairing Congas. Soon thereafter I began banging Congas. I have 2 instructors who are amazing teachers, humans and by the book. You might say purist in technique and its crawl before I run. I don't seem to mind this. Now sonny, regarding PATATO. I've a feeling you need to read a book, etc. Aside from that you are awesome. Now go listen to PATATO y Totico again and again.............again and hear.

[@cam0865]

THIS IS MY FAVORITE GROOVE Y'ALL

[@Neeko_Z]

nice playing! i just wish for the vid you had fiberglass potato congas!

[@APercussionLife]

ME TOO!!! I wish I had a set of Patato's... Might need to invest in some!

[@Neeko_Z]

A Percussion Life in the vid of potato that you referenced, what sizes were those congas, you know? Or what sizes did he typically use? Thanks!

[@jeremiah1796]

Eric you got to come back and do this one again, if you dont mind bro, love the sound and the way you play it, its hard to try to grasp this with 2 congas so my left i use my thigh for the left conga, give me a recap my man, thanks....

[@jaydeebishop2345]

Yeah. HE was playing music and had very good hears from what I can grasp.

[@ctslotsfun624]

Hi Eric I ask you on the cajon video if you could break down some of pedritos moves but now that I see this video I didn’t know it was patatos omg you freaking awesome dude. Thanks for doing what you do great inspiration you rock brodah blessed

[@tanmoybanerjee4922]

Awesome! Thank U Sir!

[@RjBenjamin353]

He was known as the Octopus.

[@humbertoduran3002]

So nice bro ! Thank u for share that

[@borcamp62]

Muy buen tutorial. esta mas didacticamente explicado que el tiene giovanni en su video conga virtuoso. Ojala sigas montando este tipo de tutoriales de tumbaos y rudimentos de alto nivel pero a la ves explicados de forma sencilla

[@kitchenorkestra5138]

Tasty groove 👌

[@acelperkusi]

Subscribe to your channel is one of best thing i’ve done on youtube. Thanks for sharing, and stay blessed.

[@olowasegun6829]

Love your videos would consider breaking down Jerry Gonzales video on Yambu, especially the ghost notes its on You tube

[@MrChickSports]

My pops

[@michaellavin8599]

I have no idea how this one managed to make it past me until today. Sneaky little video. Anywho, in all seriousness, you should write an audio book, man. You have a wealth of knowledge and a unique, interesting, and modest way of conveying it, which is manifested, or evident in your playing. Just remember who gave you the idea. As always, nice work. Super comprehensive. Thanks.

[@APercussionLife]

michael lavin Hahahaha great idea... if I make it big I’ll remember you hahaha jk! Thank you for those kind and humbling words man! Really appreciate it.

[@michaellavin8599]

I had the privilege of seeing Cachao perform at SOB's around 1999-2001(hazy on those sort of details (thanks youthful experimenting)). Towards the end of an amazing performance, in walks a tiny, small-framed dude, wearing a red and white newsboy hat. However, when I say "in walks," the guy was so hammered he looked like he could have been in one of the V8 commercials, when people were walking sideways at a 45 degree angle to the ground, before they had their juice. But, that didn't stop him from walking up onto the stage, commanding the audience's attention with some boisterous banter, before he sat down and ripped on a couple tunes. Then, as suddenly as he arrived, he got up, slugged his drink back, and split without saying a word to anyone. What a character. Super memorable experience. Well, minus the year detail part thing.

[@APercussionLife]

michael lavin Hahahaha AMAZING!!!! That sounds like such a Patato thing to do too!!! What a legend! Drunk and still grooves better than half the people out today! Haha man thanks for that story!

[@michaellavin8599]

Hey man, what are you drums tuned to in this video, and generally speaking as well?

[@APercussionLife]

michael lavin in this video in particular or whenever I play with 3 drums... I play... G (my right tumba) C (main) and then B (left tumba)

[@paulboyter4153]

My man 👍🏻

[@ctslotsfun624]

Is funny cus I seen Giovanni doing it and other guys but never really sit down to listen to patato I grew up wanting to be like him after I saw him on Sesame Street with Tito n other players lol

[@juanpena5797]

Candido Patato Cardona and also Tata were ex bass players. Good video

[@dkbradley43]

Is that true? Interesting.

[@Beatbailey]

I'v heard of everyone u mentioned in your vides but not John Binitez. Do I still need to read a book??? LOL!

[@APercussionLife]

Cyrus Wylie hahaha naw I think you’re good haha

[@Squirrelconga]

...don't worry I'm 'tupid too! Hahaha Just effin' with ya, Eric! 💓

[@josire88]

Loving this!! Just a question,I’m not a Spanish speaker but you said a word for all the diddles and stuff..”mania” or something like that? Ard the 4:50 minute mark? Can you do a video on that? I’m having a hard time making my conga playing sound legit and authentic. Any help on that would be much appreciated! Much love to ya from Singapore!

[@APercussionLife]

Josiah Suthan I’ll try my best to explain what “Mania” is one day in a video! Thank you so much!

[@sanyeixd11]

@@APercussionLife Pense que habias dicho Maña, refiriendote a los diferentes tipos de cosas que uno hace de forma involuntaria pero que se adaptan al bit

[@djtoddles8750]

nice groove at 4:37

[@echilders4u]

Can you give an example of maña? Or maybe a lesson on that.

[@jimmiranda7181]

I have found that I can play Timba and Son de Patato as a loop

[@gordoyputastricker7092]

Is there a way you could add a musical notation script in the upper right corner of the screen at the start of the lesson?

[@ryanwest8058]

Yes this potato groove is similar to samba reggae

[@lucerandrey]

sabroso!!!!

[@vladimirlopez7840]

Hey brother are you using a quinto as your center/main drum?

[@APercussionLife]

@@vladimirlopez7840 it’s a conga but it’s tuned like a Quinto

[@sambamachineryrecords6498]

WHAT ABOUT THE STEAK & CHEESE GROOVE ?

[@bobcongaboblovescongas]

Couldn't learn this properly like other lessons mr.perez

[@kevindeciantis7598]

Having a hard time with this one

[@aquileslinfante2462]

Hola, Eric. Una consulta: cómo posicionas tus congas en función del sonido? Si las más grave fuera la 1, ubicas la 3 frente a tí, la 2 a tu izquierda y la 1 a tu derecha? Es así? Muchas gracias!!!

[@APercussionLife]

Exactamente!

[@jesusoropezaoviedo6029]

Aquiles Linfante Aquiles, si eres diestro, la tumbadora (la hembra, la más grave) debes colocarla a tu derecha... Entre las piernas, va la conga (el tambor macho)... Yo uso un quinto (más agudo que la conga) entre las piernas y la conga se coloca a la izquierda...

[@aquileslinfante2462]

Gracias, teacher, por la respuesta. Voy a aplicar tu alineación. Además, tengo un requinto (LP Giovanni Galaxy), al que pondré frente al quinto. Qué opinas?

[@APercussionLife]

Ayi seria bien tambien!

[@jesusoropezaoviedo6029]

Aquiles Linfante Sí, allí está bien... Lo principal es que tu dos tambores básicos (conga y tumba) los coloques en la posición correcta: Conga entre las piernas (allí haces los ritmos y sus mazacotes) y la tumba a la derecha! Si a eso, le añades más congas, más tumbas, quintos y requintos, los colocarás donde te sea más cómodo tocarlos... Observa a congueros que usan más de dos tambores, como Giovanni Hidalgo o Richie Flores...

[@douglasmitchell5839]

I enjoy your videos and think you are a very good drummer but I have a suggestion, demonstrate slooooowly. It’s close to impossible to learn when the teacher is drumming fast or even at regular speed. I encourage you to look at Michael de Mirrand’s and Dance Papi’s tutorials on You tube. Keep up the good work and please remember to break down each move slowly for your students. Thanks.

[@sanyeixd11]

Pienso que en el caso de Dance Papi's aplica bien la modalidad de ir super mega lento y nota por nota porque tiene ritmos no tan complejos y estandares ademas de que en el canal no hay tanto material para congueros como me gustaria, en cambio en a percussion life tienes a ese buen hombre que facilita el estilo de diferentes grandes congueros con la mayor exactitud posible tocando rapido y luego lento mostrando como se hace, o enseñando la idea principal en caso de que sea muy complejo, como en este video

[@danielonavarro5919]

el que no sepa quién es patato y el mismo John Benítez aunque confieso que hace tiempo no escuchaba de John , volviendo a el tema sobre patato deberia visitar la tienda de empeño o hacer una venta de su timbas de inmediato...

[@sambac2053]

Playing faster and faster like rolling down hill is not groovy.