Traditional Afro-Cuban Concepts in Contemporary Music

Book excerpt: This course examines the infusion of traditional Afro-Latin and especially Afro-Cuban concepts into contemporary Western music. Upon completion of this book you will have mastered many new skills that will help you become a more accomplished percussionist and, more importantly, a more complete musician. By exploring the role of percussion in traditional Afro-Cuban music, you will understand the important contribution drums make towards a complete musical piece, and that a drum is not merely a rhythmic placeholder but truly a musical instrument worthy of recognition. While this book focuses primarily on hand percussion, its basic principals are also applied to the drum kit. There is no standard notation in this book; rather, the rhythms are illustrated with easily understood charts based on counting out subdivided beats. Two companion CDs offer audio examples of all major points.