|
Drumset players are faced with
the daunting task of knowing many styles of music and when
confronted with the generic category of Latin, there is often
some confusion. This survival guide discussion may help you
understand a few essentials. I consider the Big 3 in
mainstream Afro-Cuban Music to be mambo,
cha cha cha, and 6/8
Afro-Cuban, also known as bembe. For
each, I have included a brief video explanation and a brief
video performance of the groove.
Mambo
The first groove category is
mambo. Mambo dates back to the 1940s
as an added section to a Cuban dance form known as danz. Mambo
as a genre, evolved through the 1950s in New York City,
combining North American instrumentation and harmony with
rhythmic elements from Cuba. This added section in the music
was simply an open vamp with instrumental improvisation. Mambo
as we know it today continues to combine these same elements
in addition to modern day melodic, harmonic and rhythmic
improvisation. I suggest thinking of mambo not as a specific
drum beat but as a variety of groove possibilities. The feel
is basically in cut-time, meaning 2 beats to the bar. This
means it takes two bars to complete the clave cycle, which is
4 beats in cut-time.
(Ex. 2) See a brief video discussion on mambo.
(Ex. 3) See a brief video performance of a mambo groove on the drumset.
Note: in the video performance, the
2:3 rumba clave played on left foot cowbell (indicating clave
direction for tune).
Cha Cha Cha
The second groove category is
cha cha cha. This popular dance form
was created by composer Enrique Jorrin and popularized in the
1950s. The name cha cha cha was inspired by the sounds of the
dancers feet as they scraped the floor. As instrumental music,
this style has become well-known with elements of pop and funk
in contagious tunes such as "Watermelon Man" and "Oye Como
Va."
(Ex. 4) See a video discussion of cha cha cha.
(Ex. 5) See a video performance of cha cha cha on the drumset.
Note: In the video performance, the quarter note pulse in
left foot cha cha cha bell is a key ingredient in this groove.
The bongo bell pattern in the left hand cowbell is another
important part in the bridge or repetitive montuno section.
| 
