Learn to Play Conga Drums: 3 Variations of the Tumbao Rhythm 

I am retired now, but taught drums and percussion for four decades. I would like you to know I think you have a lovely teaching method, manner and style. Well done sir,

I want to thank Dance Papi for helping me on my journey with the congas. My wife asked what I wanted for my 77th birthday and I told her I wanted a set of conga drums. She thought I was crazy, but said o.k. but I should pick them out as she didn't know anything about them. Well, I really didn't either, but I picked out a pair of LP drums. That was 10 months ago. I have watched your videos and they have helped me a lot. I have actually been playing the drums to a lot of different latin jazz and Afro-Cuban jazz albums and watching videos on RU-vid. I have been playing along with a quartet I sing with in clubs, etc. and am really loving it. I was amazed at how far I have come in just 10 months without any real lessons, except watching videos like yours. I really love your teaching methods the best and am glad you have continued posting new ones. My very best wishes and may God bless you.

Fantastic! As a former kit drummer it is a very different style of playing on congas. Thank you for your clear and informative tutorial. You are a master. JP Salsa UK.

excellent teacher. you are right the quality of the drum is second to wanting to, and learning, to play well melodically as well as safely to preventing injury. my drums are lp original model fiber glass from the 1970s (conga, tumbadora) and 80s (quinto) as well as one wood california series quinto from gon bops (80s). still very useful and enjoyable. your attitude and teaching style is commendable thank you for sharing.

So grateful for this thoughtful, very inspiring lesson. Thank you for your generous teaching! ☮️🙏🪘🎶

Dance Papi you got it going on

This has been the most useful tutorial for me, and one that I have come back to twice. You helped me solve a major coordination issue going to my left without skipping nor adding a beat. I hope you aren’t tired of hearing it, but you are a really good teacher. Thank you.

Mongo, Tata and Armando are giving Thumbs Up from above!

Excelente tutorial Maestro cuando sube otras variaciones del tumbao

Great teacher!!!

Really valuable tips and you got the congas sounding great!

La improvisación del final es genial !!! Muchas gracias maestro

Hi Edgardo, Great lessons because of you my TEACHER, i can play congas. THANK YOU!! for your time. You're truly a master instructor on percussion. May God continue to Bless you for your time. From Brooklyn New York you are Appreciated!!. GOD BLESS!!

Great teacher..very humble and down to earth ....thx 4 sharing

Thank you so much Edgardo for your clarity, humour and inspiration

I picked up my first congas yesterday and Im glad i found your videos. Perfectly laid out, and I even sound halfway decent already on the basic Tumbao

Great lesson thanks

Excelentes videos hermano Dios te bendiga! Será posible que hagas algunos en español?

Buena clase

My playing has improved because of this video. i love your teaching because you have a passion and a heart for the congas. Thank you so much!

Regreso a este video frecuentemente para repasar. Me gustan esas congas, que modelo son?

Querido Edgardo, realmente es un placer encontrar a alguien que enseñe tan bien, con calidad, musicalidad y simpatía. Se comprende todo, excelentes los diferentes "stickings" que brindan mayor comodidad. Mis saludos y respetos desde Argentina.

I like it when hands travel to drums

This is wonderful. Thank you for the concise and slow instructions. . . I have seen many congueros do this type of tumbao, but never could put my finger on what they were doing. . . now I play these variations all the time when playing with bands...

Wow!!! Tremendo. Mil Gracias por compartir

thx a lot always great taking a lesson with you and to see how you enjoy playing with your heart and a smile on your face.

Yes yes yes !!! Awsome guys. Love your videos. Big love back to you from South Africa

Deja el agua correr para que otros puedan beber. Muchisima gracias Cambon. Extraordinario es la manera que tu explica y demuestra como toca las congas. Thank you Bro.

Great info. Love it Carlos.

Thank you so much for this video lesson and all of your other uploads.

Your lessons are so helpful. Great teaching that is both encouraging and informative. Thank you so much!

Your videos are so helpfull , i hope u can record a timbal tutorial abanicos solos and the way to study indepence and the way to study a song on percussion and clave keep like that .

Excelente mi hermano! Muy buena lesson!! Buenísimo gracias gracias gracias

Excellent class. I'm loving it very much. And learning very much exactly what I thought I should learn. Thank you.

Wow! Great lesson. I'm learning so much eventhough Ive been playing congas for a long time. It's actually great to realise that I'm learning new stuff. I love your style and energy. Thanks brother 🙏

Muy buenas lecciones Edgardo! Saludos desde Argentina!!

Love this guy pleasure to sit and watch and practice thankyou.

Thank you for sharing! Great videos!

Joe Famous, as mentioned on the Video, the congas are LP Rumba Model, a "middle of the road" price drums by LP (available mostly on Amazon) the sizes are 12 Inches (which is the largest or Tumba on this model, and yes they are not 12.5 but a little smaller) and I am using one Conga which is 11'. Hope this info and video help you. Take care. Edgardo.

Nice......Thanks

Great job😊

Great video and insights, especially on the 'aggressive' version. That's really a better way to approach tumbao on 2 drums. You're the first I've seen to advocate that way of playing. That's the way I have always done tumbao on 2 drums. Well done!

Fascinating - thanks!

you are amaizng teacher. Best videos across the whole youtube. Thank You Maestro!

Eres muy bueno enseñando y explicando todo. Por favor más videos. Muchas gracias :D

I like your stylez

Exelente Sr Tambor !!!!!

great lesson

Excelente maestro bendiciones, puede hacer más variaciones, recursos para solos, q elegancia, ojalá en español. Gracias bendiciones

Muchisima gracias, especialmente por las tres congas tumbao...muy linda y muy sabio!

MY RECENTLY DECEASED BEST FRIEND, MAESTRO RUMBERO, EDDIE BOBÉ WOULD APPROVE. THANKS !

Nice bro !

It would be great to have a video explaining the approach of playing in a band. As a drummer who has already been playing for years but on the drum kit and different styles, the issue for me is about how to approach the conga musically more so than technically. Questions like - How often can one switch the variation? When? Why? What are the boundaries? Watching great players, they all play so differently - some play the basic rhythms more strictly for longer periods of time while some veer away from it more often going into little improvisations and playing many variations of the basic rhythm. Learning the rhythms is not the hard part for me. Knowing how to use and play these rhythms in a band is more mysterious. Thanks :)

can you give a lesson on the timba rhythm Please.

LEFT HAND IS RIGHT ON.

Saludos desde Colombia por favor hágase uno sobre el maravilloso MOZAMBIQUE gracias DIOS TE BENDIGA!

Uruguayo con IVIANO Cubano. Sabroson!!!!

1:40 tumbao "aggressive" 17:20 three drums

I need a 3rd drum !!!!!

Hola de nuevo Edgardo! Quisiera que me explicaras una cosa y qué te parece. Tengo el dilema de usar quinto o conga incluso para tocar salsa brava porque he visto hassta congueros de renombre (y a ti también )usar un quinto como conga principal, Qué opinas tú? personalmente pienso que el quinto es una conga de buen tamaño y que es una lástima tenerla arrinconada sólo pra quintiar. pro y contras... se te agradece de ante mano

Edgardo, entonces afinas una tumba más aguda que la otra de manera de reemplazar al quinto que no usas? Muchas gracias por tus aportes desde Pinamar, Argentina!

In North America, the basic #conga #drum pattern used in popular music is called tumbao. Learn how to play 3 variations of the #tumbao #rhythm on conga drums in this free music video lesson. Feel free to +1/Share if you found this video helpful!

Hi, can not get the rhythmn around the 10 minute mark. Do you have DVD'S we can buy, to learn from?Blessings

Edgardo! Muy pronto viajo a Uruguay por rasones personales. Pero quiero volver a Australia con un tambor uruguayo y con unas lessons contigo under my belt . Podriamos arreglar esto ché!. ? Jorge Gonzalez

what kind of congas are those and sizes?

What drum are you using?

I really love this channel, but if I could offer some respectful critique.... It's very difficult for me to find videos relative to certain conga lessons because they don't seem to be organized in a manner where one could find them easily. For example, in particular this video, he says this is lesson number three, but lesson one or two are nowhere to be found; at least not labeled as lessons one and two. It would also be nice if all the dance and drum videos were organized in such a way that one would not have to go through a slew of dance videos before reaching Conga or any other percussion lesson videos. Again, don't get me wrong, I really love this channel, but it's just not easy to find videos if one wants to follow a progressive learning pattern of lessons. Thank you!

For a lesson / tutorial it is much too fast!