CongaChops Masterclass Series
JHAIR SALA MASTERCLASS
Bongó and bell from the Afro-Peruvian bongosero who spent more than a decade beside Pedrito Martínez
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A CongaChops Masterclass exploring the phrasing, creative mindset, and Afro-Peruvian roots of one of the most distinctive bongó voices working in Latin music today.
Few bongó players of this generation bring the combination of cultural depth and creative originality that defines Jhair Sala’s playing. Best known for spending more than a decade beside Pedrito Martínez in the Grammy-nominated Pedrito Martínez Group, where together they pioneered a unique rhythmic language in a modern conjunto setting, Jhair breaks down the phrasing concepts, variations, and nuances that shaped his sound. In this masterclass, he shares the mindset that helped him draw from his Afro-Peruvian roots and musical influences, and how you can develop a voice on the bongó that is entirely your own.
More from inside the Masterclass…
On demand · In English and Spanish, with English and Spanish subtitles · Over 90 minutes · Bongó and bell
Jhair on growing up in a family of Afro-Peruvian musicians
Jhair’s martillo: more palm for a modern sound, more fingers for son
Who this Masterclass is for
All levels. We recommend finishing Bongos 101 and Bongo Fundamentals first.
Bongoseros looking to develop a more expressive, personal approach
Players who want to bring new phrasing ideas into their groove and bell playing
What you’ll learn
- Martillo tips: when Jhair uses his palm and fingers, his approach to the hembra, and getting an even sound in both hands
- Johnny “Dandy” Rodríguez’s “open and close” concept, and Jhair’s own version of it
- Everyday language-based phrases and floreos, plus more aggressive phrases for the pre-chorus
- How festejo bell patterns and Afro-Peruvian calls can fit into salsa
- How he grips and muffles the bell, and uses changüí-inspired patterns to play more quietly under a piano solo
What’s Included
- Over 90 minutes of exclusive video content
- The full interview: from his Afro-Peruvian roots to more than a decade with Pedrito Martínez
- Jhair’s lesson on bongó and bell
- Individual practice videos for each phrase and bell pattern
- Bonus videos of Jhair grooving and soloing, plus a full-percussion groove with the bell, bongó and cajón parts on their own
- A playlist of Jhair’s favorite influential records
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What members are saying
“Aside from the great bongó content, I really really appreciated that interview with Jhair. It was nice to learn about his musical development and what the scene in NY was like in those days, which AFAIK isn’t really documented anywhere.”
“My one and only teacher and resource for getting back in and woodshedding!”
“Been playing a lot and kind of hit a wall with youtube lessons. I’m glad I found this because adding to my small vocab of language-based phrases today is super rewarding.”
Your trial also unlocks
Learn bongó and bell from one of the most distinctive voices of his generation.
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