Search - Ricardo Monzon: Basic Afro-Cuban Rhythms on DVD

You love the music - Get this EXCELLENT INTRO

Naoise O'hannain | Dublin, Ireland - Europa | 04/09/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Targeted at Beginners.
Excellent intro to a number of instruments (6+ selected via chapter menu).
Very good for someone who wants a foundation/taster to the principal Latin percussion instruments.

Shame it does not also include notes for the patterns used, surprising coming from the Berklee School of Music. !!!

Covers the following CLAVE (2-3 & 3-2), CONGAS (Tumbao & Mambo/Guajira), TIMBALES (Cascara & Mambo), BONGOS (Martillo), GUIRO, CAMPANA-Bell(MAMBO, SON/BONGO sic), DRUMSET Snare Drum combination.
When you have finished with this then you will be ready for the play along version 'The Rythmic Construction of a Salsa Tune' Vol 1 with Pablo Chino Nunez [Latin Percussion] ISBN:0757915558

The play along section could be beefed up along with the addition of sheet muic - VERY WORTHWHILE DVD - a THANKS to all involved.

Also an excellent book+CD is 'From Afro Cuban Music to Salsa' by Dr. Olavo Rodriguez [Piranha Berlin]ISBN:3980586308, 'The Rythmic construction of a salsa tune' with Pablo Chino Nunez[WB]ISBN:0757915558, 'Conga Drumming' by Dworsky & Sansby ISBN:0963880101."

Good introduction, but....

K. Parent | Daejeon | 09/22/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"....if you're getting this because you're a composer, you should be forwarned that there is no instruction on how to notate these rhythms. Of course, this isn't a problem for the clave where there is basically only one timbre, but for the congas and bongos where you're taught to use your palm for one sound, your thumb for another, when to use the high drum and when the low one, I'm left with no idea how to notate this. However, I would still recommend it to composers; I'm sure somewhere on the Internet we can find the proper notation.

I'm still giving it five stars though because it *is* good and I realize I'm not the intended audience. If you're a percussionist interested in Afro-Cuban rhythms, this disc will be vrey worthwhile."

Great intro to Afro-Cuban rythyms and hand percussion

Walter C. | Delray Beach, FL | 05/11/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I previously bought Brad Dutz' DVD (at the suggestion of the guy who sold me my bongos) and found it to be worthless; geared towards children and with MINIMAL instructions; in contrast, on this DVD, Ricardo breaks it all down to basics on bongos, claves, congas, timbales and does it clearly and simply. This an excellent introduction to the rhythms and instruments that have captured my attention and excite me to play. I can't really imagine one being better. If you're starting out, like me, you can't go wrong with Ricardo's DVD."