DESCRIPTION:
This is the video version of a lesson that I wrote on developing an "authentic" Afro-Cuban feel using a basic Abakua groove. The PDF transcription of this lesson can be requested by contacting me at:

http://www.maxsenitt.com

The groove used in this video is a basic version of an Abakua rhythm as applied to the drum set, which I saw in a fantastic article, "Drumming on the Edge of Madness, lessons with the drummers of Cuba", that Chuck Silverman wrote for the August 1996 issue of Modern Drummer Magazine (Great issue by the way, also includes lessons by Changuito, Jimmy Branly, Jose Sanchez, and Toronto's own Paul DeLong)

The groove which Chuck presented came from drummer, Raúl Piñeda. The concept of feel shifting that I applied to the groove in this lesson, comes from the teachings of Horacio "El Negro" Hernández.

Horacio states that to be able to truly express yourself on the drums, you need to develop the proper independence, and go beyond just learning "drum pattens".

Peter Erskine says, take a simple groove, and learn to play it extremely well.

I say, you do need to learn some patterns, so that you have a basis on which to "go beyond". By practicing the simple groove in this lesson, you will be getting it down pretty good. The next step, is to work on some more independence exercises (possibly like the ones found in El Negro's great book, "Conversations in Clave"), while simultaneously listening to, or going to see live, as much Afro-Cuban music as possible, so that you will know what to do with the new "tools" you will develop!

For more information about the Abakua, here are two great video lessons by Michael de Miranda, which break down the traditional percussion patterns and even include a song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i30f9ifrx3c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z7lQeEb6Rw

The super awesome click track that I used in the video, was generated by a very cool iPhone app called PolyNome, created by Lucas Ives, and Joe Crabtree http://www.polynome.net