CongaChops Masterclass Series
BOBBY ALLENDE MASTERCLASS
Conga, bongó and the creative mindset behind modern salsa, from a New York legend
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A CongaChops Masterclass exploring the fundamentals, musicality, and hard-won philosophy of one of the most versatile percussionists in the history of Latin music.
Few players are as at home on conga, bongó, and timbales as Bobby Allende. Alongside his longtime musical brother Marc Quiñones, Bobby is heavily responsible for shaping the sound of modern salsa, with credits spanning David Byrne, Paul Simon, Marc Anthony, Celia Cruz, and Rubén Blades. In this masterclass, Bobby shares his conceptual approach to conga and bongó from the ground up, and why developing your own voice matters more than anything else.
More from inside the Masterclass…
On demand · In English, with English and Spanish subtitles · 2+ hours · Congas and bongó
Bobby on growing up in a musical family, where everyone had to play, sing, dance or cook
A play-along for trading solos with Bobby on bongó
Who this Masterclass is for
All levels. We recommend finishing Congas 101, Conga Fundamentals, Bongos 101 and Bongo Fundamentals first.
Congueros and bongoseros who want to groove more musically in a band
Players who know their patterns and are ready to bring their own personality to them
What you’ll learn
- Why Bobby practices slowly, and how he works on balancing open tones, slaps and his left hand on congas
- How he built his tumbao on Tito Nieves’ “La lección de Pedro K”, and how Marc Quiñones’ part fits around it
- The bongó’s job in a conjunto vs. a big band, and why “if the bell’s not invited to the party, your party is over”
- Why he goes into the studio “ready to make a mistake”: listening, taking risks and not being predictable
What’s Included
- Over 2 hours of exclusive video content
- The full interview: from Tito Puente to Rubén Blades and Marc Quiñones
- Conga and bongó concept lessons covering practice, grooves, soloing and playing in a band
- A bonus video of Bobby layering a groove on congas
- A play-along video to practice trading solos with Bobby
- Three playlists: Bobby’s favorite influential records, Bobby on congas and Bobby on bongó
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What members are saying
“I was especially impressed by the quality of feel even a simple tumbao has when he plays just a few notes… listening to him explain in his own words and also then demonstrating what he does is invaluable in providing something to aspire to.”
“Bobby’s accounts are invaluable. It’s so important to document these masters while they are still with us.”
“Great to hear from these superstars in the percussion world with so much experience… I also like that modern tumbao variation to allow for more space for the vocalist he demoed as well.”
Your trial also unlocks
Learn conga and bongó from a legend of modern salsa.
Plus the entire CongaChops library with your 7-day free trial.
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