Traditional Afro-Cuban Concepts

This course examines the infusion of traditional Afro-Latin and especially Afro-Cuban concepts into contemporary Western music. Upon completion of this book you will have mastered many new skills that will help you become a more accomplished percussionist and, more importantly, a more complete musician. By exploring the role of percussion in traditional Afro-Cuban music, you will understand the important contribution drums make towards a complete musical piece, and that a drum is not merely a rhythmic placeholder but truly a musical instrument worthy of recognition. While this book focuses primarily on hand percussion, its basic principals are also applied to the drum kit. Thereis no standard notation in this book: rather, the rhythms are illustrated with easily understood charts based on counting out subdivided beats. Two companion CDs offer audio examples of all major points.