LATIN RHYTHMS
FOR DRUMS and TIMBALES
Includes
MAMBO
CHA-CHA-CHA
MERENGUE
BOLERO
SAMBA
CONGA
BEGUINE
PASO DOBLE
TANGO
MONTUNO
CALYPSO
JOROPO
By
TED REED
TED REED
CLEARWATER, FLA. 33515
P.O. BOX 327 Foreword
The following pages contain basic rhythms, variations, breaks, fill-ins etc, that are authentic and
typical. When these are mastered, do not hesitate co try some of your own. However, always keep
them simple and tasty — never overplay.
Most of the rhythms are written for the timbales, but they may also be played on the drums, ie,
snare drum, small tom-tom, bass drum, cymbal, cowbell etc., by making the following substitutions:
X and 00 (explained on page 3) are played on the snare drum (snares off). For breaks and fill-ins,
oll Hots written for the small timbale will be played on the snare drum (snares off). All notes
“written for the large timbale will be played on the small tomtom.
The Calypso, which is similar to the Rhumba, as far as rhythms are concerned, has not been given
special treatment, There are various types of Calypsos which call for various rhythms, Cowbell rhythms,
paila rhythms and rhythms played on the heads of the timbales may be used. The choice of rhythms
to be used will be made by the drummer, and will be determined by the type of Calypso being played.
Ted Reed 4
COWBELL BEATS 3
For; Mambo, Montuno, Guaracha, Calypso and Fast Rhumba,
BASIC RHYTHM
cco M c
Cowbell
Large TMmbale
Rass drum
Abertura del cencerro — 6 elpear aplaTlends por tucma cerca dla aberivee.
Mouth of cowbell, Strike the cowbell flat on top near the openings, tt
2 openings
Porton de “madera
Genter of cowbell. Strike the cowbell in the center. Use tip of ‘stick.
Gabe de cat tx begreta obbe tense en wudio del vadice, ul
GS te le cd eters tae Soe Get, the
palm turned ddwiiwaPd: Strike the center of the head the palm
of the hand and the stick, The stick, extended Piewde ‘over the. vedo
Fil; strikes the rim at the same tims, This should produce a Mii7is
sound, Do not let the head ring.t
>
* mic mic mo mo
Right hand Cowbell
't hand Large timbal
Bass drum
t
VARIATIONS
> 2 > >
Moe me ¢ co Aco Hig ho
2. Be
J iv \ \ \
> > >
Roem oc ao Rc Rock co% o Re
he
\ (
2 > > >
comocm co mic
6
\ ‘ ‘
Cowbell
left hand - 50
Bass drum CHA-CHA-CHA FILI-IN'S 13
(contime
basic rhythm)
ss ecccoce
totic ig fc coco 3
3.
> 2 2 >
Mow oc Mou c age age
he
> > » >
Mg oc McMc coc coc cac
Be
> >
comic Mic wc co ccoce coc
Te
Fill-ins may also be used as short solos. yh MERENGUE
TEMPO :~ Bright 2. (#)
ORIGIN:- Native dance of Santo Domingo.
Merengue rhythms are played on the large Timbale -- with sticks. they
may also be played on the snare drum - SNARES OFF.
To produce the best sounds, use 3/8 dowel, 1) inches long.
BASIC RHYTHM
> RSRS RS'RS RS RS 7 >>>
Large Timbale
Bass drum
The sticks are held the same as tympani sticks -- the palms turned
downward. All notes for the Timbale that are not accented are light rim
shots. The rim shots for the right hand are played near the edge of the
rim to produce a high pitched sound. The rim shots for the left hand
are played by placing the hand and stick in the center of the head
the stick extended forward over the rim. Then, lift the stick with the
thumb and forefinger and strike the rim, Do not lift the left hand from
the head while playing left or right rim shots --- these sounds should
be mffled, All accented notes are played in the center of the head. Let
them ring.
VARIATIONS
Croz Marquee. SAMBA
15
TEMPO:- (a) Moderately slow. (c)
(b) * bright. (¢)
ORIGIN:- Native dance of Brazil, They prefer the slow, ballad samba,
In this country the bright tempo is the favorite.
‘The samba is played on the snare drum - SNARES OFF, Do not
use timbales,
Right hand - STICK, All notes are played with the stick,
eft hand - BRUSH, The "X" is played with the brush,
| Always hold the brush flat on the drum while playing notes
for right hand. All sounds should be mffled,
BASIC RHYTHM
~.
7 Near rin,
FI Bi ence,
Center - on brush,
{ \
3
The following rhythm is a simplified basic beat, used by
many drummers. PAILA BEATS
(sides of the timbales)
16
For; Bolero, Son, Quaracha and fast Rhumba.
Paila beats are used for vocal and all soft choruses, Use the
tip of the stick.
To produce the best sounds, use 3/8 doweling, 1} inches long.
RIGHT HAND - side of the small timbal.
LEFT HAND - side of the large timbal.
BASIC RHYTHM
|
wekR LR OLR ORL
i
\ \ \
VARIATIONS
4 Sa
\ \ \
The following rhythms are used for medium to fast tempos. PASO DOBLE 7
TEMPO :- Moderately bright. In 2 (2/)) or 3. (3/4)
ORIGIN:- Spain,
The following rhythms are played on a snare drum, (snares on ) bass
drum, high-hat, wood block, cymbals etc. DO NOT use Timbales or cowbells.
The high-hat is used simultaneously with the bass drum on ensemble
choruses.
The wood block is used on soft and legato choruses.
BASIC RHYTHM (2/})
> > 18 BOLERO
(slow rhumba)
TEMPO :- Moderately slow. (C)
oRIGI!
Cuba.
The following rhythms are played on the Timbales (heads) and the
bass drum, They may also be played on the snare drum (snares off)
and the small tom-tom, DO NOT use cowbells, cymbals etc.
Tho sticks are held in the same manner as explained for the Merengue,
Large Timbale.
Bass drum,
1 - light rim shot -- near the edge,
&- stick across head and rim -- click sound.
2 - center of head -- miffled.
& - stick across head and rim -- click sound.
3 - light rim shot -- near the edge.
& - stick across head and rim -- click sound,
- center of head -- LET RING. (lift left hand off head)
&- drop left hand -- stick across head and rim -- click sound.
1 - light rim shot -- near the edge.
& - stick across head and rim -- click sound,
2 - center of head -- let ring. (small Timbale)
zo" mon ow " ”
2 7 st}ok across head and rim ~- click sound.
l, - center of head -- let ring, (lift left hand off head)
&- @rop left hand -- stick across head and rim -- click sound, BOLERO CONTINUED 19
center of head -- mffled.
light rim shot -- near the edge.
stick across head and rim ~~ click sound,
senter of head -- mffled.
light rim shot -- near the edge.
stick across head and rim -- olick sound.
center of head ~~ let ring. (lift left hand off head)
drop left hand -- stick across head and rim -- click sound.
RR ww BH
ee
Tne sounds are produced the same as explained for rhythm No. 3. Just
double the light rim shots on the second half of the first beat. (& ah)
Large Timbale.
Bass drum,
The triplet is played as follows:-
1st note - light rim shot -- near the edge.
2nd note - stick across head and rim -- click sound,
3rd note ~ light rim shot -- near the edge.
All other notes are played in the same manner as explained for rhythm
No. 3.
NOTE:- When playing click sounds for the left hand, do not lift the
hand off the head --- just lift the front part of the stick and strike
the rim. By keeping the left hand on the head, all sounds will be
muffled except the sound on the fourth (l) count. 20 CONGA
TEMPO:- Bright two. (#)
ORIGIN:- Africa, Brought to the Western Hemisphere by the slaves.
BASIC RHYTHM ym. or Tom-Tom
(SNARES OFF)
S:- Small cowbell,
Lr= Large cowbell.
The effect will still be good if just one cowbell is used.
VARIATIONS
2.
Be
he CONGA CONTINUED
m au
‘The
e following rhythms are played on the small tom-tom, large ton-tom,
| bass drum, snare drum (snares off) and cymbal.
> 22
TANGO
TEMPO:- Moderately slow to moderately bright. (C)
ORIGIN:- Argentina.
he following rhythms are played on the snare drum (snares on) and
bass drum, DO NOT use Timbales, Cowbell, Cymbals eto.
Is
OPTIONAL BASIC RHYTHM press roll
Right hand,
2, Lf tert nana.
VARIATIONS press roll
S.D.
Be
S.D. Right hand,
he S.D. left hand,
BD, press rolls 73
TANGO CONTINUED
> >
re
Fe tee yy
to to
7 FP F
RL RL
S.D.
“
B.D.'
In spots where the rhythm section is not playing, play a roll on
the snare drum and quarter notes on the bass drum -- but keep it
soft, (see example below) If you should increase the volume of the
roll, be sure to keep the bass drum soft -- unloss the part is
marked otherwi:
Be
EXAMPLE:~-
=
s
_——.
[Link]
B.D.
PP
The Tango usually ends as follows:-
Fp
7
R
PP PPP BEGUINE
TEMPO:- Moderately slow 2. (f)
ORIGIN:- Isle of Martinique,
The following rhythms are played on the snare drum ~ SNARES OFF.
BASIC RHYTHM
S.D.
1 é
BD.
To produce the correct sound -- play all notes for the left hand
near the edge of the drum and keep them very soft. The First note
for the right hand must be played near the center of the drum with
a heavy accent. The last three notes for the right hand are accent-
ed - but not as heavy as the first.
VARIATIONS.
FIRST RIGHT: Accented press roll with right stick.
See.
R on L: STICK SHOT - cross right stick on left stick. BEGUINE CONTINUED me
The following rhythms are played on the timbales.
Hold the sticks in the same manner as explained for the Merengue.
a BASIC RHYTHM
-
2&3 &@€h &
Small timbale.
Large timbale.
Bass drum,
light rim shot -- near the edge.
center of head ~ ACCENTED. (small timbale)
stick across head and rim -- click sound,
¥ ho fi "
light rim shot -- near the edge.
stick across head and rim -- click sound,
center of head -- LET RING. (lift left hand off head)
drop left hand -- stick across head and rim -- click sound.
SRW Rh
When playing click sounds for the left hand, do not lift the hand
off the head --- just lift the front part of the stick and strike
the rim. By keeping the left hand on the head, all sounds will be
muffled except the sound on the fourth () count.
BASIC RHYTHM
Right stick 8.1. - shell.
1. Left hand # L.T. - head.
(no stick)
B.D.
RIGHT STICK: Play all notes on the side (shell) of the small
timbale. (use tip of stick)
LEFT HAND : FIRST NOTE; strike the center of the head with the
tips of the five fingers - HEAVY ACCENT -- mffled.
SECOND NOTE; same as first note -- do not accent.
LAST TWO NOTES; strike the head halfway between the
center and the rim with the tip of the index finger --
let these two notes ring. 26
BEGUINE CONTINUED
2.
Right stick S.T. - shell
Left hand g L.T. - head
(a atiah F
u B.D. JOROPO
TEMPO :- Moderately bright. (3/) ’
TYPE :- Waltz -- with a two-beat feel.
ORIGIN:- Venezuela,
The following rhythms are played on the snare drum (snares on) and
bass drum, DO NOT use Timbales, Cowbells, Maracas etc.
BASIC RHYTHM
X :=- Right on left stick shot. ™
Notice that the last three eighth notes are played the same as the
first three. This gives the rhythm a two-beat feel.
OPTIONAL BASIC RHYTHM
When using this bass drum beat, accent the first beat of each bar.
«Crone! Marguer.
