Poncho Sanchez' Conga Cookbook: Develop Your Conga Playing by Learning Afro-Cuban Rhythms from the Master [Paperback]

Poncho Sanchez (Author, Composer), Chuck Silverman (Composer)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2002

Grammy-award winning conga player Poncho Sanchez and Chuck Silverman have joined forces to produce this book of riffs for beginning conga players or percussionists who want to incorporate Latin or conga techniques into their playing style. This unique book/CD pack covers all the essential styles you'll need, including many of the grooves that have made Poncho one of the world's most in-demand congueros. The tracks on the accompanying CD are performed by a world-class band - members of the Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band - with and without conga parts, so after you learn the material in the book, you'll be able to practice by playing along. Plus - there is a tasty bonus. Not only does the music have a decidedly Latin flavor, but so do the spicy hot cooking recipes from Poncho that are interspersed throughout the book!

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Cherry Lane Music (February 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575603632
• ISBN-13: 978-1575603636
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #463,536 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Congas Cookbook for the Advanced Player, July 19, 2005

By 

Naoise O'hannain "Naoise O hAnnain" (Dublin, Ireland - Europa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Poncho Sanchez' Conga Cookbook: Develop Your Conga Playing by Learning Afro-Cuban Rhythms from the Master (Paperback)

Not for the Beginner nor Intermediate player (for a 2+ years)
Obviously Poncho knows it very well but the book does not do him justice.
It appears to me that it was not pilot tested on Improvers, shame a bit more thought would have
made this an excellent reference. I did appreciated the legend to the notation Key.
It is poor in communicating the foundation of each style/pattern and has a confusing variations of each pattern.
Full marks though for the PLAY ALONG and instruction for for each pattern - Top of the class.

I would also recommend Poncho Sanchez's excellent PlayAlong DVD - 'Fundamentals of Latin Music for the Rhythm Section' [Cherry Lane] ISBN:1575607565 giving an exellent overview of how the pieces of the orchestra fit together.

I would also recommend Basic Afro-Cuban Rhythms by Ricardo Monzon ISBN: 087639030 to start with and
Conga Drumming: A Beginners Guide to Playing With Time Alan Dworsky, Betsy Sanby ISBN: 0963880101 for beginner and Intermediate Conga players also Play Congas Now: The Basics & Beyond (Paperback)by Richie Gajate-Garcia ISBN: 0769296572.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!!!, March 22, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Poncho Sanchez' Conga Cookbook: Develop Your Conga Playing by Learning Afro-Cuban Rhythms from the Master (Paperback)

I reviewed this book upon receiving it and was very impressed by
the overall layout.Included in the book is a history & evolution
of the congas that helps any beginner appreciate the instrument.
For those of you who like cooking,there are many Latin-style
dishes to try out.I haven't tryed the recipies so I can't comment
on the flavors.Also,the examples in the book are all laid out in
a very easy to understand manner.Only bad news is you'll need to
read standard drum notation as there are no conga tablatures.The
best part is that you can switch the conga track off by adjusting
the balance on your stereo and you can play along with the other
recorded musicians.This is the closest it gets to playing with
"real" musicians even if you don't have anyone to play with.This
is a truly great book and I would recommend it to anyone who has
interest in Afro-Cuban Druming.Last but not least,the CD recorded
has great sound so turn up your stereo & play with the examples!

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poncho continues his high standards with the Conga cookbook., June 17, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Poncho Sanchez' Conga Cookbook: Develop Your Conga Playing by Learning Afro-Cuban Rhythms from the Master (Paperback)

Having bought the Conga cookbook recently, it is with pleasure that I am able to recomend this excellent title.
It has been my experience with conga books that many tend to lack any real depth. Especially for those who may be starting out. Some contain many exercises, but few actual grooves. One such title had a list of more than 100 rhythms, which turned out to be very simple break downs that eventually only led to a few true rhythms. The Conga cookbook is quite different in that not only does it have basic exercises, but also many rhythms. Many of the exercises are so good that they make wonderful rhythms in themselves.
There are no less than 62 tracks on the accompanying CD, matching what is in the text. Add to this the band performances and one is left with not only an instructional CD, but also a highly enjoyable one.
Beginners should have no trouble reading the notation due to it being very clear what each note represents. This looks to me to be an ideal introduction to those unable to read music. It is that clear.
Poncho also includes a history of the conga, recomended recordings that helped him on his way through his own learning process, and his own insights into those he has worked with and admired.
But wait, there's more! If you have ever wondered what linguine and clam sauce tasted like, the secrets lie within. All in all there are 6 recipes, refried beans and Spanish rice, chicken corn and calabasita (zucchini), chile con soul, posole, and albondigas (meatball soup).
Co-writer of this book is the venerable Chuck Silverman. I am sure many are familiar with his own educational releases for drumkit.
Very highly recomended.