CongaChops Masterclass Series
PAPO PEPÍN MASTERCLASS
Feel, pocket and taste from the conga player behind Willie Rosario, Roberto Roena and Cheo Feliciano
Watch the full masterclass for freeFree with your 7-day trial · Cancel anytime
A CongaChops Masterclass exploring the feel, pocket, and musical personality behind one of the most distinctive conga voices in Latin music.
Few conga players have shaped the instrument as unmistakably as Papo Pepín. For decades, his playing has powered iconic recordings with artists like Marc Anthony, Cheo Feliciano, and Willie Rosario, defined by deep pocket, creative phrasing, and a feel that’s both relaxed and intensely musical. In this masterclass, Papo breaks down the concepts behind his sound and explains why his iconic conga parts feel so different, and how you can bring more groove, taste, and personality into your own playing.
More from inside the Masterclass…
On demand · In English and Spanish, with English and Spanish subtitles · Nearly 90 minutes · Congas and bongó
Papo on his father, a famed bongosero, and the tin-can bongó he put in Papo’s lap at age two
Papo on his approach to the bongó, his first instrument
Who this Masterclass is for
All levels. We recommend finishing Congas 101 and Conga Fundamentals first, plus our Conga Quick-Tip Lessons.
Congueros who are ready to explore their creativity and bring their personality to the instrument
Players who want to make simple parts sound musical, the way Papo does on countless records
What you’ll learn
- How Papo follows the bass and piano to open up his tumbao behind a singer
- Simple tumbao variations on three drums, and when to use them
- How to use the baqueteo to create space in your groove
- What makes his parts on Tito Allen’s “Flores Negras”, Rafael de Jesús’s “Soy Candela” and Issac Delgado’s Otra Idea feel so different
What’s Included
- Nearly 90 minutes of exclusive video content
- The full interview: from Machito at 17 to 13 years with Willie Rosario
- Papo’s full conga lesson, listening back to three of his classic records
- A session on bongó, his first instrument
- Two bonus solo videos
- A playlist of albums featuring Papo
Free with your 7-day trial · Cancel anytime
What members are saying
“Papo’s interview and master class are brilliant… What grace, what creativity and fluidity, yet always in the pocket! 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.”
“Thanks, Paulo, for introducing us to all these wonderful musicians!”
“Conga Chops is Paulo’s response to the lack of quality conga instruction on the internet, and it’s exactly what the percussion community has been needing!”
Your trial also unlocks
Sit down with a true legend and explore your own creativity on the congas.
Plus the entire CongaChops library with your 7-day free trial.
Start your free trial today 7 days free · Cancel anytime