MEINL Percussion - Taku Hirano Conga Solo 

Bro you need to see TITO PUENTES FROM THE 70s playing real congas

You sir are a god send to sampling :)

Clarooo es taku

Thanks!

Y como persona es genial por algo le llamaron del circo del sol y toca con Fleetwood Mac.

It is indeed, pretty hard to get also.

Yes super tight totally great!

I usually tune all my drums differently according to the situation. For example, I tuned my drums on the latest Fleetwood Mac world tour to an F major triad, because the couple of songs that I was really exposed in the mix on the tour were in that key (and it meshed well in terms of the keys of the other songs on the setlist that I played congas on). For this particular video, I was using another percussionist's personal drums so I didn't touch the tuning at all. We actually decided to film this conga solo at the spur of the moment, as the video shoot was scheduled for me only to play cajon.

Yes, they are. For specifics on the heads you can reach out to the artist.

No, pero me gusta Orquesta de la Luz. Crecí escuchándolos. ;)

@@TAKUpercussion hola quien te enseño a tocar las congs gracias un saludo desde mi país Colombia👍👍👍👍

Giovanni was my teacher for four years! :)

Giovanni was my teacher for four years. 😊

@@TAKUpercussion you have to be upper than him , I like your technique skill...

Don't think like that. You have every chance to play like him but in your own style. Just be disciplined and you will get there. Take care and best of luck.

@@Meinl_Percussion_Official Thank you so much for that much appreciated encouragement. You're awesome!

I got there from just spending long hours practicing. These Afro-Cuban instruments are not from my culture, so I didn't grow up knowing the music since I was a child like many. It took seeking out good teachers, taking the time to learn the history of the instruments, listening to the masters and the great music, respecting the traditions, and spending time with the instrument. You'll get there.

@@TAKUpercussion Thanks so much for the encouragement. That means a lot!

Thanks also, this is encouraging, it's a real journey.

Hello and thank you for your message. In this link you can see the kind of Remo heads you can use on your MEINL Luis Conte congas. remo.com/experience/post/meinl-conga-drumhead-guide/ Thanks for choosing MEINL.

The heads are made by REMO. These particular heads, I believe, are their Symmetry line of drum heads. The drums were not mine, so I can't say I remember exactly, but that's what I use on my Meinl drums.

Hi Taku, thank you very much for the reply. I am now searching for the heads that you mentioned. I prefer the sound of the Remo's , cleaner and crisper especially on the slap. Great conga -playing. i might be as good as you one day........

In the beginning 6/8 section, I'm playing in 3/2 clave... Basically stretching out over a bembe feel. Then when I go into 4/4, I'm pretty much thinking in 3/2 rumba clave - even on some of the funk stuff. Because of that, much of my fills and flurries are front-heavy in terms of heavier downbeat, + of 2 accents, etc on the first of every 2 bars. It's a loose framework, obviously, but once I start playing in 4/4 it's my general guideline. Obviously, playing hybrid Afro-Cuban and funk grooves, I didn't outright "quote" clave... But if you clap in 3/2 rumba clave while I'm in 4/4, you can hear a bit of how I'm phrasing internally. ;)

(Thanks for the compliment, btw)

Oh, shut up! Taku could beat your ass with one hand tied behind his back!