GOT GIGS? How to Play with a Drummer - In The Groove 

I love your lessons and advice Kalani, and have been playing for over 50 years, there's always more to learn, it never ends really. I have one pet peeve and that is wearing rings, the skins on my old congas are over 50 years old, sound sweet, and only survived because if I ever caught folks wearing rings they were off or banned, still took some damage over the years after hundreds of players, but my beautiful skins survived so far, did have to put a spot of epoxy on one edge that sustained damage from a stage-bounce, small cut that hasn't let up yet in 35 years. I'm blathering though, just want to say thanks for all your sharing and drum on man!

Very tasteful playing, and very useful lesson, especially the "Listen" part! Thanks!

This is the most practical, applicable, and clearly explained approach to playing in a larger group. Find your space by listening to others. Out-standing. Thank you so much

I met you many years ago as a music therapist at a conference in Austin, Tx and utilized your group drum circle techniques for many years in the therapy in corporate team building worlds. I'm also a professional percussion player and still find your style of presentation to be engaging and relevant. Enjoyed your lesson here and have subscribed. Thanks again.

I'm learning from you. Thank you. I'm really a beginner but moving forward. GBY

Great advice! I was told that we have two ears and one mouth, so it stands to reason we should listen twice as much as we make noise! I think it's also well worth noting that the same rules apply with other musical instruments, listen and fit. It's the total sound that is the goal. Great channel, thanks Kalani!

I was taught to play in the Afro-Cuban folkloric tradition (and on different drums, Afro Brazilian). I have been asked by Folksingers (European-American), to play, also by Rock bands, done live performance work and some recordings, and invariably, I’d be asked to “play less notes”, at a “lower volume”, and to keep it “straight” instead of swinging it so much. Then when I’d hear the mix, my congas were so far back in it, I’d wonder why I was asked to play in the first place. To my mind, it was like paying for use of a Ferrari when all that was needed was a donkey! Over the years, I’ve come to accept this odd fact because of, well, $$$’s. It sure would have saved me some brain wracking to have had a tutorial like this that explained this feature of the reality of playing outside of a traditional context. Thanks for the video.

A friend of mine said some years ago that the job of a percussionist is to get on the groove and stay on the groove (that doesn't mean playing every space) and I like to remember that.

Great as always, Maestro!

I learned so much! I love knowing how to play in the groove, and marking the phrase. It all made sense. Thank you!

This is one of my favorite videos from you! Great job!!!

I've been drumming and giving for forty years....but I'm fairly new to percussion, cajon and conga. I found this very helpful as I'm used to being the guy who lays it down. Comping like this on persuasion is very different and I found this mucho helpful. Thanks!

Enjoyed the video very much. Started learning to play about 3 years ago. The band I play with is more R&B old school adding some rock /country. So I agree with the part where you don't have to play congas in every song. Other percussion instruments can come into play. It's more of which ones to use, that I have questions about! Thanks again and keep them coming

Fantastic lesson. covered lots of things i need for band practise! all great ideas. thanks Kalani!

Among the best of your many excellent lessons. It was both informative and inspiring. Well done, and thank you!

Great beginning lesson. I will look for additional videos that ratchet it up from here. Thanks!

Genius! Very good and important thoughts about percussion role just in 15 min. Thank you!

Very good lesson! I’m a drummer looking to add congas to our band and this is perfect for how get started with blending the rhythms - thanks.

Spot-on advice Kalani, many thanks!

🔥🔥🔥 Great philosophy here Kalani in addition to practical demo 🙌🏾😎💫

very good lesson. I've always played congas for fun, but I had the opportunity to join my first band playing along aside a drum set. At first I felt like I was stepping on his toes, but I finally found my place doing alot of the things you spoke about, especially just keeping a nice beat going that accompanies the song. You don't have to do anything fancy. It's all about the sound. being in this band has not only made me a better conga player, but I can now say that I'm an all around percussionist. Thanks for you videos Kalani, you have no idea how much you've helped me.

Cool beats!

Soooo good!!

very on point with everything. Good way of teaching.

I like your style I've learned a lot listening to you I haven't got the hand yet slowly but surely I'll keep trying As long as you keep teaching You have a good way of teaching I like you because you're slow You don't go too fast I mean your hands I can catch The hand motion When you go slow Thank you for that I've watched many Kung Fu players And they're all fast So far For me You are the best

Thanks.

Music is about listening as painting is about observing. The smallest details are often the most noticeable. Listening and resting, not playing all the time, are as important as the playing, perhaps as much as the reciprocal relationship just like between us and the other musicians.

Very nice sir, keep it up nd God bless you

Kalani soooooooo chill love it!!!!!

Good advice and instructions. Thanks

Great Video , thanks for share

Yes great lesson. Listen to one another while playing together. If you do this... The tighter you’ll sound together.

thank u, u helpt me so much in this item

Listen.. compliment the sound...don't overdo it..stay in pocket😁😁

Have you ever tried LP (LatinPercussion) congas???

This is going to seem very "picky", but I do find that the huge red, white and blue emblem a distraction in what is a very entertaining and educational lesson.

Sir Thank your❤ God bless😇

Brilliant

Superb.

It helps to have a good set player also who stays in the pocket, and if it is not than its a race to futility.

Real nice.

Love your teaching..how do you turn you congas..I mean what the keys

Question: the drum in the center, is a conga? the one at your right is a tumba? and the one at your left? which one it is? Thanks Kalani

Right! Good tutorial, thanks 👍

Bravo, this lesson was not so easy to do… is about to let it down, buy also merge and respect

What intervals are your drums tuned to in relation to each other?

Do you know of any percussion camps that are out there. I play at drum set at my church and I am training several people to add percussion to our sound. A really cool percussion camp to learn all the fun instruments we add with drum set and by them selves would be cool.

Mannn... I just got a couple of shakers and chime never own. Please RU-vid MOJO RAW GUITAR Titled STEVIE WONDER RAW GUITAR. And EARTH WIND and FIRE FANTASY RAW GUITAR.... I only use it at the beginning.. Ull get a kick out of it.. Please enjoy... Keep up the great work.......

Tuyệt quá anh trai

Where can i get those congas

What series; what sizes?

This is my approach....pocket percussion playing.

What brand are your congas?

Good common sense, less is more, be creative, thankyou!

Muốn học nhiều giai điệu 2/4 3/4 4/4 6/8

Listen

Tes congas sont à l'envers mec