Diego Silbermanas
Introduction to the Congas
Technique, rhythms, and rudiments on Congas I, II, III, IV & V
Learn technique, rhythms, and rudiments with the interactive method (Book + Video) by Diego Silbermanas.
All books are available in Spanish and English
This first volume establishes the foundations for any percussionist. It focuses on proper posture, the development of basic sounds (open, muffled, palm, and tip), and initial coordination. It is ideal for those who are starting from scratch.
In this volume, Silbermanas delves into combining basic strokes to achieve greater speed and control. He introduces applied rudiments that allow the student to start “letting go” of the hands and gain rhythmic independence.
Key content: Endurance exercises and alternating hand combinations.
This book is designed to make the leap to an intermediate–advanced level. The main focus is improvisation, using tools such as double strokes and the use of a three-conga setup.
Details: Includes 121 practical exercises.
Extra material: It is usually accompanied by demonstration videos (approximately 45 minutes) in which the author explains the execution of each exercise.
This book is designed to make the leap to an intermediate–advanced level. The main focus is improvisation, using tools such as double strokes and the use of a three-conga setup.
Details: Includes 121 practical exercises.
Extra material: It is usually accompanied by demonstration videos (approximately 45 minutes) in which the author explains the execution of each exercise.
It is one of the most technical and specialized volumes. Here, you learn how to adapt the patterns of the Batá drums (traditionally used in Santería) to the congas.
Included patterns: Lalubanche, Oduddua, Chachalopkafun, among others.
Key content: 118 exercises that blend pure technique with Afro-Cuban rhythmic tradition, plus supporting audiovisual material.
This book functions as a “high-performance gym” for the hands. Its main objective is to break the dependency between the right and left hands, allowing the percussionist to execute complex phrases without losing the stability of the underlying groove.
Independence and Polyrhythm: Focuses on exercises where one hand maintains a constant pattern (such as a clave or a “tumbao”) while the other performs variations, displacements, and accents.
Applied Drum Rudiments: Takes concepts from the snare drum —such as the Paradiddle-diddle, Flam accents, and Drags— and adapts them to the palm–tip and open–muffled techniques of the congas.
Coordination on 3 and 4 congas: The exercises are not only rhythmic, but melodic, forcing the student to move their hands with precision across an extended set of drums.
Technical Content: Includes more than 130 exercises designed to be practiced with a metronome, aiming to reach high speeds without sacrificing sound quality.
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