So I follow up with Timbao Vibe. 'We' have a new bass player Daniel from CUBA !! He has helped me with the whole process and I gave him some help with the reading of charts in a rehearsal. It turns out that it's really a lot about dancing. I've thought about the timbao being in 2 but Daniel explained that
dancers essentially dance in 4 and the montunos reflect that. Things (8ths) seem to be pushed to the beginning and the middle of the bar. The other thing Daniel mentioned that I should listen very carefully to the Timbales and flow and follow their figures and fills. My biggest concern apart from that is just following the form and repeats etc. in the charts. But that is something I should be able to address with the mp3s.
Timbao Vibe had a gig last Saturday again at AZUKARS. The volume didn't quite bother me as much. I felt more prepared and actually was I thought :) laying it down and did get some encouragement from some of the rhythm section guys. The band played much better as a result of tightening up the figures. There was far less conflict than the first time. I was nervous but really was able to smack that beat and it was huge fun. Compliments came from the audience as well. So this is fun.... I may take up the Salsa Dancing and I'll have to play standing up if I get it right :). This is powerful stuff. It's just like the old days (real old) when I played in a (rock type) band for local dances. Here there is this Latin Intensity that is very elating and in spite of the 4-ness of the rhythm, when it's done correctly and with attention, that beat can broaden up and be felt in 2 and in 1. So I'm getting this even though there is room for improvement.
Showing posts with label Montunos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Montunos. Show all posts
Monday, 27 August 2012
Wednesday, 11 July 2012
Latin Beats
Latin transcribed from professional international bands is tough. I'm spending quite a bit of time practising figures and montunos. Montunos are fairly specified as to 2 - 3 or 3 - 2. In many of the charts there are no indication of 3 - 2 or 2 - 3. I'm trying to learn them from the mp3s. All I have to say is that the latin music I'm playing is definitely worth spending the time. When I've been practising to the tracks, I'm finding it really intense but the more I do it the clearer it becomes of course and it's starting to get that wonderful broad sweep with rhythm units falling in place.
We have an upcoming rehearsal after the first where I played new charts with just three percussion players with no bass. I was quite unprepared and figured I could manage if the bass player was there laying down the Timbao; but no... I was on my own and playing on the tinker toy of electric pianos—I'm taking my own keyboard tonight. It should go better. I feel really connected to a few of their tunes.
The piano's role is really central what with montunos getting quite creative and beautiful on the tracks that I've heard. I'm doing more practise today. The big thing is to be able to synchronize with the complexity and magic of that groove. It's very specific and presents a narrow door into the paradise awaiting once the feel is truly achieved. One of the most common features is the '2' feel in most of the songs. You're either playing on the beat—quite often just one on-beat note in a 2 bar pattern, or, you're anticipating the down beat in 2. Either anticipating beat 1 or beat 2 (n the 2 feel) or, there is an 8th just after the beat. As long as it's felt in 2 it will be easier to play it just right. Most of the time it's pushed 8ths in montunos all the way. Sometimes 2 pushed 8ths and commonly variations on supper-imposed dotted quarters.
The thing I find so encouraging is the overlap that the salza feel, timbao, and montunos bring to other songs an pieces I've been playing. It's quite a revelation.
We have an upcoming rehearsal after the first where I played new charts with just three percussion players with no bass. I was quite unprepared and figured I could manage if the bass player was there laying down the Timbao; but no... I was on my own and playing on the tinker toy of electric pianos—I'm taking my own keyboard tonight. It should go better. I feel really connected to a few of their tunes.
The piano's role is really central what with montunos getting quite creative and beautiful on the tracks that I've heard. I'm doing more practise today. The big thing is to be able to synchronize with the complexity and magic of that groove. It's very specific and presents a narrow door into the paradise awaiting once the feel is truly achieved. One of the most common features is the '2' feel in most of the songs. You're either playing on the beat—quite often just one on-beat note in a 2 bar pattern, or, you're anticipating the down beat in 2. Either anticipating beat 1 or beat 2 (n the 2 feel) or, there is an 8th just after the beat. As long as it's felt in 2 it will be easier to play it just right. Most of the time it's pushed 8ths in montunos all the way. Sometimes 2 pushed 8ths and commonly variations on supper-imposed dotted quarters.
The thing I find so encouraging is the overlap that the salza feel, timbao, and montunos bring to other songs an pieces I've been playing. It's quite a revelation.
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