4 Funk and R&B Conga Patterns

[@RhythmNotes]

Subscribe to the email list at rhythminsider.com. Then, email me at [e-mail]. Include in the email subject which video sheet music you want. I will confirm your subscription and send you the sheet music for the video.

[@ronspagnola607]

I am a drummer / percussionist/ conga / cajon / bongo entertainer. For the past 50 years I have been entertaining I enjoy your insight

[@RhythmNotes]

I'm glad you enjoy it!

[@johnrodriguez9977]

Nice, very nice. I like your Funk feel. The way you describe thickening of the pattern. That's some thick sauce bro !

[@RhythmNotes]

Thanks! I really appreciate it.

[@sebrinagilbert2892]

Im so excited to learn.

[@RhythmNotes]

Have you seen this lesson? kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmSnnIueo9-Sr9U

[@ronaldshuler5350]

Great video I'm a old school funk percussionist (dying breed) keep bringing the funk. I'd love to meet you. RS

[@RhythmNotes]

For sure Ronald! I hope our paths cross some day.

[@Squirrelconga]

I 💓 how the one example is, part in real time, and part is more cut-time!!

[@RhythmNotes]

I developed ideas like that by trying to find a place to fit with the drum set. ... a way to stand out without messing up the groove. Thanks for mentioning it.

[@Squirrelconga]

@@RhythmNotes Yeah! Makes sense to go to cut time in the second half. Cuz that's when the drummer gets more unpredictable.

[@RhythmNotes]

@@Squirrelconga Exactly!

[@Squirrelconga]

@@RhythmNotes I used to play in a fusion band. If I got lost, I would switch to cut time. More options for a "1". Lol

[@carlospardo7009]

As a beginner this segment has helped me with new rhythms wish I did not know. THANKS

[@RhythmNotes]

You’re welcome, Carlos!

[@robertmccarty3897]

Im new to your channel ill stay because you are precise, detail, and patience to teach thank you

[@RhythmNotes]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm glad you found value in my channel.

[@HenkJanDrums]

Very nice. Stevie Wonder I Wish! Do drums and percussion. It took many years to have fun and express on percussion!

[@RhythmNotes]

Rock on!

[@TadmlkTavsiyeler]

You could’ve play the patterns double for us. It’s so annoying to replay all over again. Theese were wonderful advices for me. Thank you.

[@RhythmNotes]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@MCM686]

I just discovered your channel, love it!!!

[@RhythmNotes]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@henryzamora9756]

Another great lesson for me. As I had mentioned earlier most of my playing experience was Funk, Disco & some Latin. Great tip of not muddy up the vibe or not playing with or complimenting drummer. Also very good sound & video quality. Most of all not excessively long & dull. Thanks

[@RhythmNotes]

Cool, thanks!

[@LamarJennings-eo8ps]

I never realized who important it is to think like a drummer but learning space and complementing the drums after years of playing I still have lots to learn

[@prataprajeshirke5272]

Hi, I am from India. A lot of music directors here use congas in their compositions. Conga players use totally different patterns .They don't emulate Latin or Cuban patterns .Please listen to Indian film music and let us know what you think of them.

[@RhythmNotes]

I know what you’re talking about. It’s very cool. I studied music at the University of North Texas where Puvalur Srinivasan teaches South Indian music. His ensembles incorporated any instruments regardless of what part of the world they came from to adapt South Indian music to them. Very exciting stuff. Thanks for sharing!

[@terryroach6481]

@@RhythmNotes Just finding your channel now - thanks for all that you do as an educator and an artist who inspires. I'm in the DFW area, and while I have nowhere near the talent level to have studied formally at UNT (I'm old enough to still want to say 'NTSU'), I used to take lessons there from several lab band players back in the last century (Earl Harvin is still my hero!). No surprise to see you're among this fold! Best wishes.

[@normlor]

I LOVE THIS VIDEO AND ANY THAT DON'T SUGGEST THE ONLY PATTERNS WE SHOULD PLAY AS CONGA PLAYERS ARE LATIN. AFRO/ BEATS. I HAVE PLAYED FOR 55 YEARS AND NOT ONCE FELT I HAD TO PLAY PATTERNS THAT MADE ME UNCOMFORTABLE. I LOVE LOUNGE JAZZ AND YOUR IDEAS ARE RIGHT WITH THIS GREAT MUSIC!!

[@RhythmNotes]

Thanks for the kind words! ... I'm in the camp of playing the best pattern for the groove / genre. It doesn't matter if it's Afro-Cuban technique or a more hand-to-hand style of playing. If it's good for the music, it's good for me.

[@FunkyConga]

Best funk patterns!

[@RhythmNotes]

I’m glad you like them!

[@ah-ray]

just got my conga's, I'd love to learn spanish joint by d'angelo. thanks for the great videos keep it up!

[@RhythmNotes]

I put Spanish Joint on my list. I'm doing a video with several viewer requested songs. Trying to get it out in the next few months.

[@ah-ray]

@@RhythmNotes 🙏

[@noahsassi9665]

Thanks!

[@RhythmNotes]

Glad you liked it.

[@reynaldonegron3304]

Man, Thank you!!!

[@RhythmNotes]

You're welcome!

[@ecclairmayo4153]

This is tight. Subbed!

[@RhythmNotes]

Glad you like it!

[@WilliamJohnsonmusic]

Sounds great!

[@RhythmNotes]

Thanks William!

[@becw9972]

Hi, thanks for the vid. Aussie here, I play drums and bass. I saw Tame Impala in concert not long ago and loved the congas. I love the congas in the song Patience and in some of the songs of The Slow Rush album. I've been trying to play them by ear but thought it's time to actually learn patterns etc.

[@RhythmNotes]

I listened to Patience (album version) and didn't hear congas. I could hear how congas could be added live, for sure. Did the live band use congas on that song? ... very cool music, BTW.

[@becw9972]

@@RhythmNotes Hi! Thanks for listening to Patience. What is the instrument then? I can hear it about 0:22 in this kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIbQh2CDpNd8gcU Yes he had congas at his show. He said at the show they came from Florida. He has a conga player on the Saturday night live version of Patience and Borderline.

[@JeffPorterMusic]

@@becw9972 those are congas, I'm sure he just didn't here the right version. ( :

[@tanmoybanerjee4922]

Very Informative!! Combining Congas with Drums is a difficult part!! Now have some Clarity!! Thank You!!

[@RhythmNotes]

I'm glad it helped!

[@tanmoybanerjee4922]

Wish U a Very Happy & Prosperous New Year!! More of such Lessons Please!!🙏

[@RhythmNotes]

@@tanmoybanerjee4922 Thanks ... and to you, as well! I'm working on more conga lessons. My goal is to do one or two conga lessons a month this year.

[@tanmoybanerjee4922]

Will be Waiting for the same!!

[@jakrapongthongchoo5882]

Thanks😁😁😁 I love you.

[@RhythmNotes]

I’m glad you liked the video.

[@maxshyt]

This is a great tutorial! Very practical! Thanks

[@RhythmNotes]

I appreciate the feedback.Thanks for watching!

[@warnerlaw3375]

Thks👌👊🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@RhythmNotes]

You're welcome!

[@Jamesadamiak]

Beautiful- this was just what I needed!

[@RhythmNotes]

Glad it was helpful!

[@christianfamily4817]

New to your chanel, ecxelent work i suscribed.

[@RhythmNotes]

Thank you very much. I’m glad you like it!

[@idobahalul]

I like the congas in A Horse With No Name

[@RhythmNotes]

Great song!

[@orlandoacevedo1250]

Hi Kevin , I'm writing from Venezuela been looking for some Boogaloo (latin soul) pattern. Can you make a tutorials please ?🙏

[@RhythmNotes]

I’ll see what I can do, Orlando.

[@orlandoacevedo1250]

@@RhythmNotes thks alot . some basics pattern of Boogaloo on congas great 👍!!!

[@masfree9474]

super dope ;) need more of this funk and RNB tutorials for congas. their are hard to find. love it

[@RhythmNotes]

I'm working one for three congas. ... should be done for next month.

[@echilders4u]

I REALLY would like to see some funk rhythms using three congas. Please, ps I just checked out your website and I found a new best friend.

[@RhythmNotes]

Thanks Ernest! I'll add three drum funk rhythms to my list.

[@robertgomez7229]

He's my best friend😁

[@echilders4u]

Robert Gomez : It must be great to jam together.

[@kmills63]

Love your grooves! I’d love to see/hear your interpretation of the conga parts on the studio versions of “Feelin Alright,” Joe Cocker, “Nothing But Flowers,” Talking Heads, and “Two Tickets to Paradise,” Eddie Money. I play what I hear but I don’t know if I’m quite right on these. Thanks!

[@RhythmNotes]

I added them to the list.

[@HiveEclipse001]

Crikey!!! Best pattern I could do was Tumbao.... basic.

[@RhythmNotes]

Are you looking for a way build more patterns based on tumbao? If so, I have a couple other videos that help with that.

[@partypostma9228]

Hey this is super helpful .I’m working on funky by the chambers brothers .any tips

[@RhythmNotes]

It sounds like the conga part is easier to hear during the breakdown 2 minutes into the song. It sounds like mostly muted sounds and open tones. I would start with learning the open tone rhythm at the breakdown and go from there.

[@waveriderz2687]

Great! Can you, or any viewers, recommend any one hit, wav sample packs for conga? There are plenty of loops, however am looking to input clean, accurate single hits into a percussion pad and the existing ones are terrible no matter how I modify them? Thanks for sharing!

[@RhythmNotes]

This is a new one with one shots yurtrock.com/products/ghost-note-drums-percussion-vol-1-funk ... send him a DM on IG @nwerthy to ask him any questions you might have.

[@waveriderz2687]

@@RhythmNotes .. Thanks!

[@magpercussion3005]

Love this - thanks

[@RhythmNotes]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@markborges3056]

Good stuff? I’ve been playing 45yrs, and Im breaking into the realm of doubles as taught by my Cuban Congerro friend Carlos Caro. It’s a totally different class of playing. Once the skill of bouncing is established a whole new world of drumming is discovered. Can you offer any tips on when and how different doubles variations fit into certain rhythms, how to apply them as well? Would also like to see la secreta de mono demonstrated if I spilled it right 😎. I’ve subscribed, I’ll be checking in for a response.

[@RhythmNotes]

La man secreta is the secret hand. This the heel-toe combinations you can use to make ruffs and thicken your marcha. Check out this part of Changuito’s video Evolution of the Tumbadoras kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHbOm2ioardmibc

[@chandrakantnimbalkar7525]

Your playing is very sweet and you speak very clear and sweet Hallelujah!

[@RhythmNotes]

Thank you very much!

[@SomdoEdson]

Olá, parabéns pelo excelente vídeo, gostaria deixar uma sugestão de deixar o link das músicas tocadas no vídeos para que os estudantes possam tocar junto. Obrigado!

[@RhythmNotes]

A música está listada na descrição.

[@masterpsaavedra3229]

Hi Great Channel, how do you play "Oye Como Va " of Santana, please

[@RhythmNotes]

It’s just a cha cha, so you can use any of the tumbaos in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5SrY2qMjcyClZY

[@masterpsaavedra3229]

@@RhythmNotes thank you

[@jrhhandle]

Can you tell me (#1) what software you are using to edit your vids (#2) Are you using "sync by audio" feature within the software (#3) what adds the sheet music & other graphics ?

[@RhythmNotes]

1. Adobe Premier Pro ... 2. No. I manually sync audio. It only takes a few seconds. I do stick clicks and line up the audio. There’s faster ways but this is fast enough for me. Realistically, it takes 20 seconds to manually sync audio. ... 3. I write the music notation with Muse score (free) and use the screen clipping tool in Muse to make images (png). Then I import it into the vid proj and place a white matte behind the notation image. For the videos with counts and clicks, it’s all manual. It takes a while, but it’s worth it because viewers requested a format that breaks down the lesson. My focus now is finding a balance between talking and playing (more playing than talking) and performance demos vs teaching demos. ... I know you didn’t ask about all of that, but your questions got me thinking.

[@jrhhandle]

@@RhythmNotes Hey brother, thanks for getting back to me. I made 2 drum vids 4 years ago & posted to youtube but because of the time it took I have not made any more. I think the software was part of the problem. I have looked into Adobe & I think I am going to give this thing another shot. I may hit ya up for further advice. If I ever get any real level of views I will try to help support your channel. Thanks again!

[@robertgomez7229]

Hey buddy your channel is great I'm learning And I love the jingo song by Santana can you play to that and show us how ? Thanks!!

[@RhythmNotes]

I demonstrate one of the patterns in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoWrZqdmq7ikrJI ... but there's variations and it sounds like you more of a tutorial than a demonstration, right?

[@robertgomez7229]

I'm learning,I don't know the best way to learn so I practice a little here and there from different people ibelieve the important thing is to keep time from there you expand thanks for any insights and for your videos.you play great👊

[@robertgomez7229]

I love Santana I grew up listening to him in San Fran lol.also salsa music .

[@robertgomez7229]

Wut is your favorite kind of music to play congas to?

[@RhythmNotes]

@@robertgomez7229 Thanks Robert. I new batch of content coming out weekly starting Tuesday. It includes conga lessons every other week, drum set, timbales, and cajon for the rest of the year.

[@bruceberry1384]

Bro! Great job man. Lots of great drum set players out there think they can play congas just because they can conceptualize the grooves, without really paying attention to the quality of their sounds. Shame! I say to them. You obviously have put your time in - and I normally hate plastic heads but yours sound great. Last but not least, I’m also a red headed dork (all the love my man) and drum set and congas are my instruments. Cheers from Santa Cruz, ca

[@bruceberry1384]

Re tunes - the playing and sound in Soul Vaccination is great.

[@RhythmNotes]

Thanks for the kind words.

[@RhythmNotes]

I agree!

[@Ponch341]

Hi Kevin. It's hard to tell, but wondering if your playing the conga and tumba here or quinto and tumba?

[@RhythmNotes]

Quinto and conga

[@jaks866]

Nice channel. How do you put the different recordings of yourself together like in the intro?

[@RhythmNotes]

I record each part separately to a DAW, mix it down, and edit the audio and video clips with Adobe Premiere Pro. It could also be done with GarageBand and an editor like iMovie with similar results.

[@jaks866]

Rhythm Notes Ah right, thanks

[@jessewehner7838]

Is it common to not use the bass tone when playing along with a kit drummer?

[@RhythmNotes]

It's common to not play bass tones in loud bands, which is usually the case with a kit drummer. But there's no rule against it. If the bass tone makes the groove feel better, I would play it.

[@jessewehner7838]

@@RhythmNotes I am excited to play with a drummer for the first time. I have just gotten my first set of congas - got a deal on red LP classics quinto/conga! I have some exp with drum set and the hands feel totally backward on congas! This video was very helpful

[@edvarez]

Hi, Do you record percussion for artists?

[@RhythmNotes]

Yes. Email me at [e-mail]

[@brucemaponga836]

i love congas and i know how to play a little, but people say i am a professional

[@RhythmNotes]

That’s great Bruce! Professionalism is about more than ability. I’m glad you have people who appreciate what you do on congas.

[@scottmahler6105]

Great classes! I've been trying to figure out the conga part for I'll Be Around by the Spinners. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Same for a conga part for Funky Nassau.

[@RhythmNotes]

I added these songs to a list of viewer requests. I'm trying to have that video out in the next few months.

[@hectorrivera2624]

👍🏼

[@RhythmNotes]

Thanks!

🥁🎶🙌🏾👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👊🏽

[@RhythmNotes]

Thanks for watching.

@@RhythmNotes 👊🏽

[@fernandogutierrez5342]

HI WHAT MODEL OF REMO SKINS ARE THOSE, PRETTY NEAT AND DRY SOUND@!

[@RhythmNotes]

Nuskyn rhythmnotes.net/conga-and-bongo-drum-heads/

[@mikejuarez3054]

El Chicano Viva tirado

[@RhythmNotes]

✔️

[@jamesalorigah232]

Hi I am James from Ghana Please how do I slap with two hand because I slap with the right hand but can't with the Left hand

[@RhythmNotes]

James, have you watched this video on slaps? kzbin.info/www/bejne/anOqloqLmah3brs

[@mgp4969]

How can I play patterns with only one conga ?

[@RhythmNotes]

Here's a funk pattern kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHrZgpWdrqmdh6M ... and some tumbao variations kzbin.info/www/bejne/op3RYmmvjMScrJo

[@robertgomez7229]

There's a song called (the dawn) by osibisa I'd love to hear you jamb with it.thanksbuddy👊

[@RhythmNotes]

✔️

[@Freddy-Da-Freeloadah]

"Sounds" But the weather changes every day!! ...and so do "SOUNDS: of the congas!! When I first leaned to play, they used these drums tensioned by ropes and they started every session by laying the drums, head first, next to a heater! I can't really do that with mounted congas, even if I had a heater ready. I play drum set, and some times hop on the congas, when a guitarist is finger picking, or the song calls for congas. Some times they just don't sound right. Surprise! IMHO

[@RhythmNotes]

I hear ya. Sometimes I abandon a home studio session entirely because it’s not the right for the drums. Likewise, sometimes the skins sound so good, I pivot to recording projects to take advantage of the conditions.

[@echilders4u]

pps. Could you please help with solos.

[@RhythmNotes]

Definitely! I'll make some content for developing solo ideas on congas.

[@Drummergolfer427]

Nah, more like DMV/DC Go-Go music patterns.IJS!!!

[@RhythmNotes]

Yep

[@robertgomez7229]

What kind of congas are those?

[@RhythmNotes]

LP Salsa Model with Remo NuSkyn heads

[@raulsevero8512]

uau...

[@RhythmNotes]

✔️

[@andreas1999able]

My friend you have to play the paterns way more time so we can understand it and not going backwards the video all the time!!!

[@RhythmNotes]

I’m sorry about that. Thanks for the feedback.

[@mikejuarez3054]

War all day music

[@RhythmNotes]

✔️

[@afrohealing7446]

I was hoping you was going to do less talk and more demonstration or a little of both but you did most of the talking so this video really did not help me in terms of demonstration thank you so much keep up the good work👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@RhythmNotes]

This video is a year and a half old. Since then, I’ve tried to balance the demos and explanations. Here’s another vid on funk conga patterns that may have a better balance of talking and playing kzbin.info/www/bejne/fam8fn-eZ96fl6c

[@sulimanyoussef9105]

without music ples

[@RhythmNotes]

✔️