Timbales · Newest
Luisito Quintero
Take your timbal playing to the next level with a Grammy-winning master percussionist
See the masterclass →CongaChops Masterclasses
Learn conga, bongó and timbales from the masters
Sit down with the percussionists behind Rubén Blades, Chick Corea, Marc Anthony and Enrique Iglesias, to learn about their careers and discover how they think, practice and play.
Newest masterclass Luisito Quintero · Timbales
- 9
- artists
- 15+
- hours
- 4
- percussion categories
- 2
- English and Spanish audio and subtitles
“Each masterclass brings tremendous info, different concepts, and distinct approaches to playing… Within each masterclass, a load of learning material which wouldn't be accessible without your initiative, CongaChops.”
What’s inside
- 01The interview
Where they grew up, who they learned from, the bands they’ve played in
- 02Their approach
How they think about the instrument, explained and played
- 03Material to practice
Grooves, variations and phrases you can take to the practice room
- 04Exclusive performances
Recorded for CongaChops
- 05A conversation with Paulo
Questions about their music, practice and career
- 06Classic records
In several, their parts on classic records, broken down
New players can start with the included 101 courses · Congas, bongó, timbales and Brazilian percussion · English and Spanish audio and subtitles · Free preview clips from every masterclass
You can learn patterns anywhere. Here, the masters explain how they think.
These players have spent their careers on the bandstand and in the studio. In each masterclass they sit down with Paulo and show you what that taught them. How George Delgado spreads a tumbao across three congas. Why Papo Pepín’s simple parts feel so good behind a singer. How Chino Díaz builds a timbal solo one “word” at a time.
The nine masterclasses
Timbales · 90+ min
Luisito Quintero Newest
Take your timbal playing to the next level with a Grammy-winning master percussionist
See the masterclass →Congas and bongó · Nearly 90 min
Papo Pepín
Feel, pocket and taste from the conga player behind Willie Rosario, Roberto Roena and Cheo Feliciano
See the masterclass →Bongó and bell · 90+ min
Jhair Sala
Bongó and bell from the Afro-Peruvian bongosero who spent more than a decade beside Pedrito Martínez
See the masterclass →Three congas · 100+ min
George Delgado
Three-drum tumbaos from the conguero on all three of Spanish Harlem Orchestra’s Grammy-winning albums
See the masterclass →Congas and bongó · 2+ hours
Bobby Allende
Conga, bongó and the creative mindset behind modern salsa, from a New York legend
See the masterclass →Congas and percussion · 60+ min
Roberto Vizcaíno Jr.
Step-by-step independence on congas, with the Latin Grammy-winning percussionist of Chucho Valdés’s Royal Quartet
See the masterclass →Timbales · 100+ min
Chino Díaz
How to build your own soloing language on timbales, with a disciple of Changuito
See the masterclass →Brazilian percussion and congas · 100+ min
Gilmar Gomes
From the streets of Salvador to Enrique Iglesias’s band: the art of building grooves
See the masterclass →Conga, bongó and timbales · 2+ hours
Marc Quiñones
From the Bronx to the Allman Brothers: Marc’s approach to conga, bongó and timbales
See the masterclass →
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Pick by what you want to work on
- Three-drum tumbaosMoving the tumbao onto a third drum, tumbaos for each section of a song, tuning for salsa and jazzGeorge Delgado
- Feel and pocket behind a singerFollowing the bass and piano, simple variations, baqueteo to create spacePapo Pepín
- Your own soloing language on timbalesFigures placed in clave, a sung syllable system, triplets and four against sixChino Díaz
- Timbal grooves and bell patternsVariations that don’t disturb the groove, cáscara, contracampana and doble campanaLuisito Quintero
- IndependenceClave on a foot pedal against the marcha, conga, cáscara and foot clave togetherRoberto Vizcaíno Jr.
- Bongó and bellMartillo, Johnny “Dandy” Rodríguez’s open and close, floreos, festejo bell patternsJhair Sala
- Practice habits and a creative mindsetHow Bobby practices, his tumbao on “La lección de Pedro K”, the bongó in conjunto and big bandBobby Allende
- Building parts for a recordConga, bongó and timbal parts for the studio, conga tone and balanceMarc Quiñones
- Layered grooves and Brazilian percussionLow to high frequencies, playing to a click and keeping it human, repique de mão on congaGilmar Gomes
“…You (Paulo) do us all a tremendous service by presenting players like Papo and others in your master class series, musicians who aren’t so much in the public eye but who are great creative artists.”
“I really enjoy these master classes. Conga chops is one of the best things that's ever happened to me in my life in terms of being a percussionist…”
“Great guy, I felt like I got to hang out with him and I feel honored. Not anyone would know to ask the questions that were asked here…”
New to the instrument? Start with the foundation
If you’re still learning the basics, start with a 101 course. Each instrument has one that starts from zero, included in the same membership.
Your trial also unlocks300+ lessons100+ loops12 courses
Questions about the masterclasses
Are the masterclasses included in the membership?
Yes. All nine are included in every CongaChops membership, along with every course, loop, groove and chop. You can watch all of them during your 7-day free trial.
What level do I need?
Every masterclass is for all levels: there’s something in each one for a beginner and for a working pro. If you’re new to the instrument, we recommend starting with the 101 course for it, so you get more out of what the masters show you.
Which masterclasses are in Spanish?
Luisito Quintero, Chino Díaz and Roberto Vizcaíno Jr. teach in Spanish, and Jhair Sala and Papo Pepín in English and Spanish. All nine have English and Spanish subtitles.
How long are they, and in what order should I watch them?
Each runs from about an hour to over two hours, over 15 hours in all. There’s no set order: start with the artist or the instrument you’re most curious about, or pick by what you want to work on.
Do I need three congas?
No. One conga is enough to get a lot out of most of them. George Delgado’s masterclass is built around three congas, and a few others use two or three drums, so you can come back to those parts when you add drums.
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Free preview · CongaChops Masterclasses
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