Afro-Cuban Rhythms for the Drum Set - Part 6- 6/8 Rhythms: Nanigo, Bembe and Abakwa

Here is Part 6 of a multi-part video series on modern Latin drumming.
This lesson explains some modern ways to play the 6/8 Rhythms Nanigo, Bembe and Abakwa on the Drum Set.
My book, Advanced Coordination for Drum Set and Hand Percussion, is used for all of the playing examples.
The equipment I am using consists of:
Pork Pie Drums
20"x 16" Bass Drum
Toms: 8"x 8", 10"x 8", 14"x 12"
Canopus Zelkova 14"x 5" Snare Drum
Porkpie 10"x 5" Snare Drum
Cymbals are Sabian 20" Jack DeJohnette Signature Ride with rivets
Paiste Traditional 16" and 17" crashes and a 10" traditional splash
Sabian HH 13" Regular Hi-Hats
Sabian 12" AA Mini Hats
Wuhan 20" thin Lion Cymbal
Cowbells are J.C.R and L.P
Heads on toms are Remo Pinstripes
Bass drum is an Aquarian Power stroke 1 head.
Snare is a Remo Skyntone head
Microphones are a AKG C24 stereo overhead and an AKG D112 on the Bass drum
Latin Fusion is a combination of many Latin Styles (most notably Afro-Cuban and Brazilian) mixed with Funk and Jazz drumming.
Some examples of drummers who have contributed to the modern Latin Fusion drumming style include:
Alex Acuna
Airto
Cliff Almond
Robby Ameen
Julio Barreto
Steve Berrios
Ignacio Berroa
Vince Cherico
Vinnie Colaiuta
Adam Cruz
Duduka Da Fonseca
Steve Gadd
David Garibaldi
Horacio Hernandez
Portinho
Dafnis Prieto
Edu Riberio
DOM UM ROMÃO
Antonio Sanchez
Carlos Vega
Mark Walker
Dave WecklHere is Part 5 of a multi-part video series on modern Latin drumming.
This lesson explains some modern ways to play the Songo rhythm on the Drum Set.
My book, Advanced Coordination for Drum Set and Hand Percussion, is used for all of the playing examples.
The equipment I am using consists of:
Pork Pie Drums
20"x 16" Bass Drum
Toms: 8"x 8", 10"x 8", 14"x 12"
Canopus Zelkova 14"x 5" Snare Drum
Porkpie 10"x 5" Snare Drum
Cymbals are Sabian 20" Jack DeJohnette Signature Ride with rivets
Paiste Traditional 16" and 17" crashes and a 10" traditional splash
Sabian HH 13" Regular Hi-Hats
Sabian 12" AA Mini Hats
Wuhan 20" thin Lion Cymbal
Cowbells are J.C.R and L.P
Heads on toms are Remo Pinstripes
Bass drum is an Aquarian Power stroke 1 head.
Snare is a Remo Skyntone head
Microphones are a AKG C24 stereo overhead and an AKG D112 on the Bass drum
Latin Fusion is a combination of many Latin Styles (most notably Afro-Cuban and Brazilian) mixed with Funk and Jazz drumming.
Some examples of drummers who have contributed to the modern Latin Fusion drumming style include:
Alex Acuna
Airto
Cliff Almond
Robby Ameen
Julio Barreto
Steve Berrios
Ignacio Berroa
Vince Cherico
Vinnie Colaiuta
Adam Cruz
Duduka Da Fonseca
Steve Gadd
David Garibaldi
Horacio Hernandez
Portinho
Dafnis Prieto
Edu Riberio
DOM UM ROMÃO
Antonio Sanchez
Carlos Vega
Mark Walker
Dave Weckl

[@williamfotiou7577]

What a fantastic, in-depth lesson. Took me back almost 40 years. I figured after that long it was time for a refresher.

[@davidkral7317]

This is the drumming I want to know about!

[@marcl.lyndon1826]

Beautiful drum sound -and playing of course!

[@brunolagattolla]

God bless you Rick and thank you so much for all your lessons 😊

[@DrumforJC18]

Thank you Rick! I was teaching this to a student and ran across this video. I am grateful to have studied with you personally!

[@rickdior]

Daniel!!! How are you? How is the bambino? Call me.

[@tombanks780]

Excellent teaching, and really appreciate your knowledge, insight and sharing.

[@kobiewatkins4364]

Soo Good!! I did not know you had a Drum Set book!

[@rickdior]

Hey Kobie, next time you're in town stop by and I will hook you up.

[@mattgoff2722]

wow this is so nasty. you sir are wildly underrated

[@rickdior]

Thanks Matt......Not sure who rated me but I appreciate it.

[@williamfotiou7577]

@@rickdiorthat’s exactly what I was thinking!!??? 😂

[@BassistBillLawrence]

Hi Rick, I am a bass player studying Latin rhythms, right now working with the bembe. Very informative video - you are a master. Thanks for the excellent videos.

[@rickdior]

Thanks Bill Glad the videos helped. Not many American bass players play these grooves.

[@BassistBillLawrence]

@@rickdior all the more reason to study them :)

[@dannygoodchild7568]

Rick, You really sound great and

[@jj4star605]

such tension.. what a cliffhanger!

[@williamkjwilliamkj1815]

Love that auxiliary snare. Totally reminds me of Donati when you play it.

[@josekiano9562]

Thank You so much Maestro Rick,,you are amazing ,,you can play anything,,warm regards jakarta indonesia,,,stay blessed😇😇😇

[@ezramacarena3406]

Love what u doin! 🥁🏆🥁 Thank u 😎

[@karllsauter]

I subscribed about 2 min in, lol. You have both groove and chops.

[@hasa___]

Incredible!

[@davidkral7317]

Wow!

[@alessandrodaloia]

Very good Rick !!

[@kidyoung732]

Thank you Excellent well done I finally understand until I sit on the drums than Help ME Rick lol naw I got it your fantastic thanks again

[@bushdoctor3313]

Great!

[@drowdaba]

insane!

[@BOOMBLISS]

Yea!

[@MrAmisto]

beastly.

[@ChuongTran-688]

Thank U Master ...

[@badoanh]

Thank you very very much sir.

[@rickdior]

You are welcome Chen

[@ChuongTran-688]

I'm following you, great lessons .. help me improve myself .. Once again, thank you so much ..

[@alejandrobohorquez5256]

Excellent video Rick, you are a good teacher, I am interested in delving into these types of rhythms I find your book very interesting Where can I get your book? thank you very much greetings

[@rickdior]

Email me at [e-mail] and I will let you k ow how to get a copy.

[@cpizz99]

Rick, where can people get your book? I went to your website, but I didn't see a link to buy it.

[@rickdior]

Hi Email me at [e-mail] Thanks

[@musicdrumming8751]

Hi Rick, For Abakwa i've seen some books with this rhythm - Is this another type of Abakwa variation? In triplet: ( 123 -23 1-3 12- ) // pardon the crude notation, hard to type out in text. //

[@rickdior]

Hi There are many Abakwa variations. These came from Djembe rhythms I play and are a conglomeration of the full percussion section as in Brazilian drum set grooves. The African grooves have less separate perc. instruments then the Brazilian grooves but the 2 against 3 feeling needs to be there. Abakwa is usually also slower then many of the other 6/8 grooves.

[@charliewalsh9247]

Do you teach on zoom or online somehow ?

[@rickdior]

Hi Yes, I teach online lessons. You can contact me at [e-mail]

[@mohitnair6871]

Hello Rick..I would request you to breakdown each rhythm a little more simple as it will be helpfull in learning for example in terms of (RLRLL...) format..By the way I am Mohit from India..I am really fascinated by the Afro Cuba rhythms.Thank very much..