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Updated 20 April 2000

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

Interview with my good friend Dave Lombardo is here!

Lessons from Lombardo's Power Grooves book here and here!

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Private Lessons Please visit here for info or
email me .

Palo is an Afro-Cuban folkloric rhythm from the Congo Cycle of rhythms. Included in the Congo Cycle are Palo, Makuta, and Yuka. I learned something about these rhythms while on my latest trip to Cuba, studying with Raul Gonzalez Brito, also known as "Lali". Playing these patterns is an exhilirating experience! I am teaching them now in my classes at Musicians Institute. It's a wonderful sound.

So, how can we expand the experience of Afro Cuban folkore and put the rhythms to use on the drum set? Well, here we will explore one example.

There are several parts to the Palo rhythm. Traditionally, three drums are used, another rhythm is played on the guataca (hoe blade), and another on the catá (box played with sticks or spoons).

Here are the rhythms. (I may have the two drums confused, name wise. If you have info which you consider correct, please email me.) All rhythms are written in 6/8 time signature, easily applicable to Common Time.

What follows is a step by step approach to applying the Palo rhythm to the drum set, as a double bass or hi hat/bass drum groove. Your assignment will be to combine pattern number 5 (cymbal and snare) with either pattern number 6 or 7 (double bass or hi hat/bass drum).

1. GUATACA or HOE BLADE

2. CATA or BOX played with sticks or spoons Left hand plays top line Right hand plays bottom line, which is the clave pattern.

3. MULA drum Third eighth note is an "open" tone Other notes are "slaps"

4. CACHIMBO drum First eighth note is a "slap" Other notes are "open" tones

5. Application of GUATACA RIGHT HAND plays cymbal (top line) LEFT HAND plays Snare (accent on measure 2)

6. Application of MULA RIGHT FOOT plays bottom space LEFT FOOT plays bottom line

7. Alternate Application of MULA RIGHT FOOT plays bottom space LEFT FOOT plays bottom line

YOUR LESSON is to combine the cymbal/snare pattern with either of the double bass or hi hat/bass drum patterns.

 

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Candombe Hand Exercise	Lombardo Lesson #1	Lombardo Lesson #2	Groovin' Independence	Basic Brasilian Rhythms	Double Bass Cowbell Lessons
Latin Hand Patterns	Latin Rudiments	5 against 2 Hand Patterns	Changuito Melodic Independence	Cascara Funk Lesson	FunkyTwist!
Make It Funky!	More Brasilian Lessons	Why You Drum!	Articles of Independence	Dave Lombardo Power Grooves lesson	Candombe
Killer Timbale Solo	Memphis Soul Stew	Memphis Soul Stew.2

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