Timbale lessons · Beginner course
Timbales 101
Learn how to play timbales step by step, from your first setup to your first grooves, with Marcos López, percussionist for Marc Anthony since 2019.
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"CongaChops is one of the most comprehensive educational online learning resources available today."
Paoli Mejías · Percussionist for Carlos Santana
The course
- Level
- Beginner, starting from zero
- Length
- 12 videos · 1 h 57 in total
- Taught in
- Spanish · English subtitles
- Your teacher
- Marcos López, percussionist for Marc Anthony since 2019
- Free now
- Timbales notation legend (PDF)
- With your trial
- All 12 videos and the practice routine worksheet (PDF)
What you'll learn
- The parts of the timbales, how to set them up and how to tune them
- Posture, and how to hold the sticks
- The basic sounds you can get from the instrument
- How to warm up properly
- Exercises to develop independence between your hands
- A few essential grooves, and a practice routine with a video to play along with
So you have your first set of timbales, and you're not sure where to start.
We've all had to start from square one. In Timbales 101, Marcos takes you from setting up and tuning the drums to your first grooves, one step at a time, with a practice routine you can come back to every day. Watch the free Technique Basics preview above to see how Marcos teaches.
Watch free previews
Short clips from the course. Tap one to watch it full size. The full lessons come with your trial.
The full course
Taught in Spanish by Marcos López, with English subtitles on every lesson.
- 00Introduction
- 01Lesson 1 · The Anatomy of the Timbales
- 02Lesson 2 · Tuning the Timbales
- 03Lesson 3 · Posture and Hand Position
- 04Lesson 4 · Technique Basics
- 05Lesson 5 · Sound Essentials
- 06Lesson 6 · Warm-Up (Calentamiento)
- 07Lesson 7 · Developing Independence
- 08Lesson 8 · Essential Grooves
- 09Lesson 9 · Practice Routine
- 10Practice Routine Play-Along
- 11Course Wrap-Up
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Practice with a real band from the first week
Members get play-along loops recorded by a real rhythm section. These are some of the loops Timbales 101 uses, all at comfortable tempos for you to learn with.
Played by Axel Tosca (piano), Oscar Stagnaro (bass), Ramon Stagnaro (guitar) and Paulo Stagnaro (percussion). Mixed by Gabo Lugo.
What members are saying
"El curso está tremendo, empecé el de timbal. El contenido me encanta, super claro."
("The course is amazing, I started the timbales one. I love the content, super clear.")
"I'm a student at MTSU playing in the Salsa band and this course has helped me learn about the styles I've come across playing in the group… The tracks are a lot of fun to play along with and have helped me work the feel."
"Muito bom Paulo e Marcos uma métodologia muito organizada estou aprendendo muito. gratidão!"
("Very good, Paulo and Marcos, a very organized method, I'm learning a lot. Thank you!")
Your trial also unlocks
Questions before you start
I've never played timbales. Is this course for me?
Yes. Timbales 101 starts from zero: the parts of the instrument, setting up and tuning, posture, how to hold the sticks, and your first sounds.
Is it in Spanish?
Yes. Marcos López teaches this course in Spanish, and every lesson has English subtitles.
Who is Marcos López?
Marcos has been Marc Anthony's percussionist since 2019, and he has also performed with Gilberto Santa Rosa, Paco y Catriel and Thalía. He teaches all of the timbales courses on CongaChops.
Where do I start once I join?
Open Timbales 101 from Courses and start with the Introduction. Every lesson is open from day one, so you can go at your own pace.
How does the free trial work?
You get 7 days with every course, masterclass and loop. Sign-up asks for a card, and you can cancel anytime from your account before the 7 days are up.
What comes after Timbales 101?
Timbale Fundamentals. Your trial opens every course; nothing is locked.
Start Timbales 101 and get access to the entire CongaChops library with your 7-day free trial
Set up and tune your timbales, get your first sounds and play your first grooves along with a real band.
Start your 7-day free trialRisk free. Cancel anytime.