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Rating: 
Summary: Ok, but not a book for someone that already has rhythm.
Review: I found this book to be pretty much pure rhythm exercises... if you already have rhythm, you don't need to buy it, just play the Congas.I will admit the teaching style is good (if the student does not already have rhythm!) but I always listen to the audio sample first, and I ended up skipping through the whole thing until about track 34... once you do that, yeah the rhythms are good but it's nothing you can't do with your own imagination. :(
Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding introduction to conga playing
Review: It's hard to imagine how this book could be improved upon. With this book and 2 lessons with a great conga player in New York City, I played my first gig (that is, a paying music job) on congas. And trust me, I am no musical prodigy! ! More like a musical oaf! ! If I can do this anyone can. The CD enclosed is especially valuable because you can hear the difference between you and the master, and practice until you sound as good as he does. Unlike the other book I bought to prepare for aforementioned gig, this one uses real music notation. (Don't worry if you don't read music, he explains it extremely well.) This means you're ready immediately to work with other musicians. Another great thing about this book is that it covers clave patterns in 2-3 and 3-2, and a bunch of rock beats, so you can play rock and pop right away, as well as Latin rhythms. He's written out conga parts for several well known rock songs -- even one by Sting in 5/4 time! -- and illustrates how you can contribute to the jam even if there is already a drum kit (trap) drummer on the song. I knew nothing about playing congas when I bought this book, and 2 months later I can really get around on this instrument. I can't imagine a better book for the beginner.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding introduction to conga playing
Review: This book is fairly inspirational, and includes a lot of good information. But it's not for the ultra-beginner. You should at least watch a video or take one lesson before you dive in here. For example, if you don't know what all of the individual slapping/tapping/muffling techniques SHOULD sound like, you won't be able to tell if you're doing anything correctly or not.
Rating: 
Summary: It's ok. Probably should take a lesson or two first, though
Review: This book is fairly inspirational, and includes a lot of good information. But it's not for the ultra-beginner. You should at least watch a video or take one lesson before you dive in here. For example, if you don't know what all of the individual slapping/tapping/muffling techniques SHOULD sound like, you won't be able to tell if you're doing anything correctly or not.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book/CD I Have Seen
Review: This is a great book, Ritchie Garcia explains things clearly and includes great exercises and loads of authentic rhythms. There are also some contempory rhythms of his own for playing to jazz/rock/pop/funk. Unfortunately I didn't get my copy from amazon and I paid more!! Lesson learned!!!
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