Afro-Cuban Percussion - Session #1 - EW Rumba Club

Thanks to the EWHS Music Boosters and Kyle Humann Scholarship for sponsoring this lesson series with master percussionists: Jeff Busch http://www.artno.com/bongo/
and Ricardo Guity http://www.changodina.com/#

Friday, April 29, 2016 - SESSION 1 - EW Rumba Club

Goal: to expose EW Jazz Musicians to more diverse forms of music with hands-on interaction with authentic "Salsa" drumming artists and instructors, and to focus some energy and enthusiasm into Afro-Cuban drumming and Latin Jazz.

This blog is to aid and assist in a review of what happens at EW Rumba Club (review) and to help those unable to attend to benefit from some of the concepts covered (spark notes).

https://vimeo.com/164851003

Nothing is better than listening to the masters.
El Cayuco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkWbA-82vgE

The instructional style was primarily Descarga (jam session). Jeff and Ricardo demonstrated and then had the students join in with their own sticks. Eventually stations for each instrument were explored by all and some materials were examined from Rebecca Mauleon's Salsa Guidebook.

There are many great videos to see on youtube of all of these different styles and drum patterns and there are many variations depending on the location of origin.

For a big written overview consider reading the overview on Wiki for Salsa
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salsa_music

Terms:

Congas - larger hand drums often played in pairs or trios on the floor with the high drum (smallest) on the left. The player is known as a Congalero.

Good instructional video on the basics of hand position for Conga Playing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11quy4AMt0I

Timbales - pair of metal framed drums usually played with special drum sticks. The player is referred to as the Timbalero.

Good examples for basic instruction ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQxF-ls4kGY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_WSpYCFGmM

Techniques of Timbale playing - As a generalized guide line, it can be said that in the introduction and the verse of a song, the timbalero plays the cáscara, in the montuno section (section in which the the singer starts to improvise) he plays the bell and in the mambo section (horn section) he plays the cymbal. (Note: These ʻrulesʼ are not absolute and only meant as a guide line.)

This advice comes from:
http://www.oscarvandillen.com/timbales-in-cuban-music/
which is a very detailed description of techniques and history any student may benefit from reading.

Abanico - classic drum fill which separates the two sections of a tune including a six-stroke roll and rimshot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bb9kpbPPC8
Nice video from Michael de Miranda

Cascara - (shell) - a distinctive pattern played on the side of the Timbale - see the links above

Bongos - two smaller hand drums often played between the knees with the high drum (smaller) on the left. The player may be referred to as a bongocero.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw033a5Nozw
http://percussion.wonderhowto.com/how-to/play-various-rhythms-bongos-297047/

Son Clave and Martillo (hammer technique on bongos)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejalLuTNn4A

Marcha - Bongo or Conga (March beat)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M69wI0V_2aQ

Hand Percussion
Guiro - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%BCiro
Campana or Cincerro or Bell (timbale have "mambo bell" and "cha-cha bell", the bongocero has a "bongo bell") - the bells are played during the Montuno or "high" part of the song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lakkjp4t32M

Of course, watching and reading is not learning so be sure to find a drum and try these different patterns.  Pick a few and work on them for several days in a row.

Pick some favorite artists and see if the grooves make sense with the track.


Email Jake Bergevin if you have questions about sessions or links
jake@jakebergevinmusic.com

WMEA Conference 2016 - Yakima

I just returned home after another successful WMEA conference held in Yakima.  It was full of great sessions and I picked up some great new ideas as always.

I enjoyed the chance to chaperone the All-State Jazz Kids on their way and got some time to practice and work on arrangements with my new Finale Skills which I developed this past summer by taking an online course.

My practice lately has been focused on transcription and I'm using the TempoSlow App mostly.

The sessions I attended were mainly jazz focused. So here's a diary style entry with a few photos from the events.

Fridays sessions:

Dan Keberle - Jazz Methods for non-jazzers
Dan discussed some big concepts for interpreting jazz band music to make it sound more authentic. Special focus was paid the "common practice period" of the 1950s with Count Basie's Band as the model.

Nik Caoile - Conducting Masterclass
Dr. Caoile used 4 current CWU Master's students, the CWU Chamber Orchestra and the Unfinished Symphony by Schubert to work on gestures and concepts which brought the music to life and illuminated fine points.

Keynote Address - Marcia Neel

WMEA All-State Jazz Concert directed by Ly Wilder (choir) and Patty Darling (band)

Photos

All-State Jazz Choir rehearsals

All-State Band Director Patty Darling with Group Manager Mike Mines

Former student teachers Jonathan Bletscher, Dan Taylor and James Orr

I ran into MaryEllen O'Donnell who is good friends with Bruce and Jo Caldwell. 

She was my sons' kindergarten teacher :)

All-State Jazz Choir including my son Elijah

Saturday's sessions:

Chris Bruya - Time Feel in the Jazz Ensemble with the Zillah High School Jazz Band
Students played a ride cymbal with a recording and played time keeping games. Chris compared three recordings of the same chart by Count Basie, Buddy Rich and Frank Capp to compare and contrast time-feel.

Clipper Anderson - the Bassist's Survival Kit

Jenny Kellogg - Jazz Rehearsal Techniques with the Cashmere High School Jazz Band

Jenny Kellogg - Listening Skills
Solfege, listening to Corner Pocket by Count Basie and Socratic questioning techniques were a few of the topics covered in the session.

Chris Bianco - Tried and True Rehearsal Techniques

One of several helpful slides used in the talk by Dr. Bianco

Chris had an especially clever way of getting the students to tune by having them focus on precision entrances and releases with the threat of fear of embarrassment as a motivator. It was fun and interesting.

I also attended a fun jam session at Gilbert Cellars hosted by PLU Professors of Jazz including David Deacon Joyner, Clipper Anderson and Mark Ivestor

Andrew Vinther (age 12) plays bass in the Cellar on Saturday Night Jam 

Elijah with All-State Choir Director Ly Wilder

Sunday's sessions:
Groove for Thought - Building Musicianship in a VJ Ensemble
Groove for Thought - Vocal Masterclass with the iJazz VJ from the International School

Groove For Thought - Masterclass

I enjoyed a busy day of jazz yesterday - July 7, 2015

I helped kick off the inauguration of the College Place Middle Jazz Colony along with Steve Treseler and assistants Max Bennett and Luis Ross.

I then ran over to the Edmonds-Woodway Jazz Colony to check in. Steve Treseler, Alex Dugdale, Michael Glynn ran the show.

Then I headed to Seattle to play some big band with Jay Thomas and the Usual Suspects Big Band.  Players included Greg Williamson on drums, Paul Gabrielson, John Hansen on piano, saxes were Jay Thomas, Adam Notebaum, Jory Tindall, Nathaniel Schleimer and Dan Wickham. Trombones included Greg Schroeder, Ryan Shepard, Randell Runback, and Chad Kirby. Trumpets included myself, Mike Van Bebber and Denis Haldane.

Tunes performed inlcuded Home, the H.O.E., The Duke, Some Bones of Contention, Kennewick, Man, Sequence, Tomorrows Blues Today, Original People, Like Someone in Love, Boyd's Nest, Lelanni's Mirror, Driftin', I'm All For You, and Purple Heart

Summer 2015 Music Activities

I'm getting excited to be joining the faculty of the Centrum Jazz Port Townsend Camp as Educator Track facilitator.

http://centrum.org/jazz-port-townsend-artist-faculty/

Also our summer jazz workshop the Edmonds-Woodway Jazz Colony is up and running again thanks to Pete Bennett and a generous grant from the Hazel Miller Foundation. Especially great to have Steve Treseler, Alex Dugdale and Michael Glynn as workshop instructors.

http://jazzcolony.blogspot.com

I'm also happy to be taking an online class learning to be more fluent in Finale notation program.

I hope you're having a restful but productive summer.

-Jake

Washington Ambassadors of Music Tour - July 9 to Aug 4 2014

I'm excited to be participating in a summer jazz experience through the Voyageurs International Washington Ambassadors of Music tour. I originally signed on in hopes of getting my 2 sons a meaningful travel experience with a music theme before they're grown and out of the house. My boys have chosen to sing in the choir instead of playing in the band. The choral conductor is Gary Widdenaar from Central Washington University. I'm excited to see what he will create.

Not long after committing to the tour, I learned that the intended jazz band director had cancelled and I was asked to direct the jazz band portion of the trip.  I agreed and am now days away from meeting this new group for the first time.

My wife Christina will also be along as choir accompanist/rehearsal coach and chaperone.

Students from all over Washington State are nominated by their high school music instructors and then choose to participate in either the choir, concert band or jazz band. This year there will be over 250 students traveling to 8 countries in 16 days.  Countries include the UK, France, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Lichtenstein, Germany and Italy.

I intend to post photos and updates here occasionally.

The auditions for placement in groups were held via recorded submissions on gmail. It was taxing but should help make the rehearsals prior to leaving a bit more focused and productive.

I've selected 5 pieces to prepare knowing that we may scrap some or swap some in and out depending on each performance situation. We are going to work on Baylock's Love for Sale, Marty Paich small band recording of Bernie's Tune featuring Art Pepper, Misty arranged by Dave Barduhn, Mike Kamuf arrangement of Watermelon Man and the classic Benny Goodman tune Sing Sing Sing.  A few of these charts were my choice and a few were selected by veteran WAM director Chris Bruya, director of jazz at Central Washington University.

Thanks for tagging along with us virtually. Let me know if you have comments or questions.

EWHS Jazz Colony

I'm grateful to have summer off to recharge my batteries, practice, play and listen to more music.  This summer our Edmonds-Woodway High School Music Program and Boosters host the 5th annual Jazz Colony improvisation workshop.  This program helps to keep kids growing during the summer by offering expert instruction from quality instructors in a safe and supportive atmosphere. This year we received support from the Hazel Miller Foundation to help offset costs and bolster the infrastructure of the lessons and activities.

You're welcome to see what the students are experiencing at the blog maintained by noted author, saxophonist and educator Steve Treseler.  http://jazzcolony.blogspot.com/

Maybe you have something similar or related you'd like to share?

New Jazz Festival in Seattle this March

http://seattlejazzexperience.com/