Essentials of Cuban Hand Percussion
Master the Foundation of Cuban Percussion
Discover the essential hand percussion instruments that form the rhythmic backbone of Cuban music. This comprehensive guide explores the campana (cowbell), maracas, claves, and güiro—the "glue" that holds syncopated grooves together.
Learn how these instruments function within authentic Cuban ensembles through 13 musical styles including Son, Mambo, Timba, Cha-cha-chá, and more. Whether you're a pianist, bassist, or horn player, understanding these fundamental percussion parts will deepen your musical insight and transform your approach to Cuban rhythm.
Perfect for musicians at any level who want to truly grasp what makes Cuban music work.
También disponible en Español
There are certain fundamentals that anyone playing Cuban music must understand. These go beyond clave and montuno.
You must learn about the role of hand percussion and how the singer phrases his melody and inspirations. Don’t skip over this material simply because you may feel that you don’t need to know it.
Even if you never plan to play the claves, güiro, or campana, you should still understand the parts and strive to listen to them. As you will see, there is a reason that these musical instruments are still prominent in Cuban music today. Think of them as the glue. Without them, it would be very hard to hold some of the syncopated grooves together.
Disponible en Español
Product Details
Includes:
- La Campana (Cowbell)
- Las Maracas (Maracas)
- Claves
- El Güiro (Gourd)
Also includes ensemble examples:
- Cha-cha-chá
- Changüi
- Danzón
- Descarga
- Guajira
- Kiribá
- Mambo
- Nengón
- Punto Guajiro
- Montuno
- Sucú Sucú
- Timba
- Traditional Son