Updated 27 December 1998

Welcome to my Lessons Page. I sincerely hope you find some interesting and challenging grooves and ideas here.

I've placed a Previous Lessons archive here. Enjoy!

As an addition to my lessons here, I also offer:

Virtual Lessons

The lessons are on disk and feature written grooves and Real Audio files. You can open them up in your browser, and provided you have Real Audio on your hard disk, you can listen and learn the grooves. Each lesson, with up to 10 grooves and exercises, costs US$10 plus $3 postage.

Although not yet on my order form, you can email me with credit card information and I will process it for you then send the lessons to you. If you like, you can also send a check to my address at the bottom of this page.

Video Lessons

are also available. I really enjoy teaching by video tape. I can take my time, when I've got the time!, and focus on the grooves that you want. Please email me for info about this and audio lessons by cassette.

My good friend, David Romero, who has played bongo with many top "Latin" artists and is now percussionist with Earth, Wind, and Fire, is happy to teach video lessons to those who are interested. From beginners to advanced players, this is something I may be doing soon! Just drop me an email and I'll get you all the information.

Audio Lessons

I've had some good success teaching drummers by audio cassette. Once again, if I can be of any help, please write.

Private Lessons

I live in Southern California and am very happy to be able to teach here at my home studio. My students and I are a nice family, the atmosphere's cool, and we play and learn together. See you here if possible!

Brasilian Samba Rhythms/Patterns

Here you¼ll find some patterns here which are patterned after typical samba grooves. Every drummer, whether a set player or percussionist, should know about these rhythms. Check 'em out and see if they inspire you to apply them to the set.

This first pattern is for the low surdo. The circled notes are the open sounds. The regular noteheads denote a dampened sound. This surdo part is very important.

Next is the high surdo part. The circled notes are the open sounds. The combination of the high and low drums is a great groove and an important part of samba. The low and high drums are the heartbeat of the groove, with the lower drum being a bit more important. Nevertheless, the mix of the two is very important and fun!

The agogo bells are another great instrument to get into. In my experience it¼s best not to be agogo bell heavy. The patterns are not that easy so take your time. These are just some guidelines. Of course the two positions of the notes mean different pitches of the bells

Thanks once again for visiting my lessons page, and for checking out the website. If I can be of any help to you, please drop me an email.

If you enjoy these lessons, and develop your own grooves, please share them with us! You can mail me your applications of these lessons to:

Previous Lessons

Select an Archived Lesson!

Basic Brasilian Patterns

Changuito Lesson

Double Bass Cowbell Lessons

Latin Hand Patterns

Latin Rudiments

5 against 2 Hand Patterns

The Good Foot

Changuito Melodic Independence

Cascara Funk Lesson

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