Mel Bay The Tomás Cruz Conga Method, Vol. I: Conga Technique As Taught In Cuba (Book & DVD) [Paperback]

Tomas Cruz (Author), Kevin Moore (Author), Mike Gerald (Author), Orlando Fiol (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2004

In Volume I, Tomasito reveals the time­-tested conga method which he himself studied with "Changuito" and other master congueros at the ENA conservatory in Havana. Volume I starts at the absolute beginning and is designed for the person who has never touched the congas, but is also of great value to the advanced player who wishes to understand the foundation and rudiments of the approach that has allowed the ENA and the other Havana conservatories to consistently turn out so many world class congueros each year.

Volume I begins with simple exercises to develop technique and systematically works its way through rudiments and recursos for use in solos and fills and basic rhythm patterns such as Salsa, Cha-Cha and Bolero. These are presented using the unique Step by Step DVD Method, which enables the student to learn the patterns by watching the DVD and imitating Tomasito as he builds the patterns stroke by stroke. This, combined with a special type of notation designed to be simple for those who don't read music, results in a conga course that really works, rather than just another reference book to add to the bookshelf!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tomas "Tomasito" Cruz was born and raised in Cuba in the middle of the musical revolution of the 90's. By the time he relocated to Miami he had become one of the top congueros in Cuba, playing in what most Cuban music experts consider one of the two or three best Timba bands ever assembled, the 1997-98 incarnation of Paulito FG y su Elite which recorded the groundbreaking CD, "Con la conciencia tranquila". The creativity and drive Tomasito's conga tumbaos on that album put him in the very upper echelon of the most competive Latin music scene in the world. Similarly, it took Tomasito very little time to rise to the top of the Miami Latin music scene, playing with Manolin, el Medico de la Salsa, Willie Chirino, Celia Cruz, and many others. He also has a thorough mastery of bongo, Bata, and a deep understanding of Cuban music as a whole. In short, when we set out to write a book explaining the mysteries of Cuban conga playing, Tomasito was our first choice by a considerable margin.

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: Mel Bay Publications, Inc.; Pap/DVD edition (March 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786670819
• ISBN-13: 978-0786670819
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #92,342 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tomás Cruz a Cuban Legend, August 2, 2005

By 

Robertico "Robertico" (Los Angeles, Ca) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mel Bay The Tomás Cruz Conga Method, Vol. I: Conga Technique As Taught In Cuba (Book & DVD) (Paperback)

Vol. 1 starts assuming that you have never played the congas or have had any previous knowledge of how to play. I found this book and DVD very helpful even though much of it is basic, I discovered that I had learned certain movements incorrectly and was able to correct myself by viewing the DVD. You will also learn Basic exercises and rudiments that are very helpful in improving your speed. however remember that this is a 3 volume series and book number 2 and 3 are crucial to further your learning process.

It is my opinion that If you want to learn to play a Cuban instrument you should learn from a Cuban not a person who just studied in Cuba a few times. Tomas is educated and born in Havana. I highly recommend this book you can not imagine how much I have learned from it, as I play people can tell how much better I sound after using this method.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good but slow, get Volume II also, April 9, 2008

By 

ken "kenhall" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mel Bay The Tomás Cruz Conga Method, Vol. I: Conga Technique As Taught In Cuba (Book & DVD) (Paperback)

This book/DVD is very slow moving but it is also very clear. There are only a few actual rhythms in this first volume. The good part is this approaches conga technique very clearly and if you do the exercises you will improve greatly. It is very important to get the proper technique FIRST because relearning rhythms after you have bad technique is counterproductive and slower in the end. You can also hurt your hands as I did at first. However, as another reviewer mentions this IS rather boring and slow. I think the best solution is to integrate this volume with volume II slowly. That is, start with this and go through it a few times. Maybe don't even order Volume II for a couple weeks. Then return to these exercises OVER and OVER and OVER as warm ups while slowly learning the marchas and rhythms from volume II. That will be less boring but if you simply ignore all the lessons in volume I it seems like you will suffer from some deficiencies. All in all a great series, but if you just get Volume I you won't have very much to play.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Started and good for building "chops", March 29, 2007

By 

Dimitri Hernandez "tumbao33" (Woodstock, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mel Bay The Tomás Cruz Conga Method, Vol. I: Conga Technique As Taught In Cuba (Book & DVD) (Paperback)

I bought this initially after watching Tomasito play Timba on YouTube.com

I was initially disappointed because as the introductory book much of the material was familiar. However, having kept it I've discovered that the drills and exercises are great for building speed and precision. This is a very good intermediate book as well. You don't get much further that the tumbaos, but the rudimentaries and drills are great "chop builders". I recommend strongly for beginners and novices.

For the experienced conguero purchase book 2, or 3 if you are exclusively looking for Timba patterns.