Tumbao over Swing

[fdeck]

At a gig on Saturday (long story), I discovered that a Tumbao bass works really well with a fast swing beat. Has anybody else tried anything along the same or similar lines?

I figure it should only be deployed if the band is not too likely to lose the down beat, and probably not during dancing.

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by fdeck

At a gig on Saturday (long story), I discovered that a Tumbao bass works really well with a fast swing beat. Has anybody else tried anything along the same or similar lines?

I figure it should only be deployed if the band is not too likely to lose the down beat, and probably not during dancing.

I do that a lot if the drummer can understand what I'm trying to do.

When my brother is the piano guy he usually jumps in with Montuno when he's so inspired. We'll swing, morph into Tumbao/Montuno then back. Sometimes the drummer stays put sometimes he moves with us. If the drummer sucks we move back to swing in a hurry.

Its the superimposition of the clave over swing that if felt right works well, but if somebody doesn't get it the train will wreck in a bloody heap.

[BAJO]

We started doing that in the late 90's with Gonzalo Rubalcaba's trio. It works fine however, you need a drummer that understands what the hell is going on or your gig is destroyed!!!

[osmarokuma]

Oh man this works very well for some pieces... you also gotta have a good drummer with you or he will not understand what you are doing. The only thing is by doing the tumbao you are making a half time... therefore the drummer has to follow you....its kind of like going into a double time but the opposite. Also it would help if the drummer understands the idea before and he plays the clave on the hat.

[-Sam-]

What is a tumbao exactly?

[jsbarber]

Originally Posted by BAJO

We started doing that in the late 90's with Gonzalo Rubalcaba's trio. ...

The late 90's was ten years ago and your profile says you're 29. Am I correct to infer that you were playing with Gonzalo Rubalcaba's trio at the age of 19 (or thereabouts)?

Jim

[jsbarber]

Originally Posted by -Sam-

What is a tumbao exactly?

You should check out Oscar Stagnaro's book, it goes into a variety of latin rythms and corresponding bass lines. Comes with a CD too.

http://www.amazon.com/Latin-Bass-Boo...1707498&sr=8-1

Jim

[Jeremy Allen]

Originally Posted by jsbarber

The late 90's was ten years ago and your profile says you're 29. Am I correct to infer that you were playing with Gonzalo Rubalcaba's trio at the age of 19 (or thereabouts)?

Jim

I don't know when Carlos started playing with Rubalcaba (I'm sure he'll tell us), but he's on a great album with him released in 2001 (Supernova). Good stuff!

[jsbarber]

Actually, to play with Rubalcaba at any age is impressive enough...

Jim

[BAJO]

I was actually 19 years old!! I remember like if it was yesterday because I was doing Danilo Perez's trio before that and things were not going great in terms of work for the trio so I took the offer at the age of 19 with Gonzalo. Buy the way, Oscar's book is great!! All I would say is learn from it with a open mind.. Let me say one more thing so that you can think about it, You have to know what a Conga sounds like and plays like in order for you to play a tumbao!!! If you do not know any of its pattern, you must go back and study the basics of the conga in order for you to understand a tumbao. I played many years with Tito Puente and Eddie Palmeir and all of their tumbaos are related to the conga... This is where we separate the boyz from the Man!! It took me awhile to understand this..

[jsbarber]

Now that is truly impressive, Mr. Bajo. As are your recording credits: George Benson, Wynton Marsalis, Willie Nelson, Tito Puente...
as listed in allmusic.com

I will pick up a copy of Supernova...

Jim

[fdeck]

I mentioned this thread to my spouse. She said: "Too much of a coincidence. You'd better go listen to your Gonzalo Rubalcaba CD's again. I'll bet that's where you got the idea."

I am betting she is right.

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by jsbarber

You should check out Oscar Stagnaro's book, it goes into a variety of latin rythms and corresponding bass lines. Comes with a CD too.

http://www.amazon.com/Latin-Bass-Boo...1707498&sr=8-1

Jim

I know what Santa's getting me.

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by fdeck

I know what Santa's getting me.

Do it.... that's a killer book. I borrowed it from a friend for awhile, and when he wanted it back, he had to come over and pry it from my hands.

[MR PC]

Originally Posted by BAJO

I Let me say one more thing so that you can think about it, You have to know what a Conga sounds like and plays like in order for you to play a tumbao!!! If you do not know any of its pattern, you must go back and study the basics of the conga in order for you to understand a tumbao.

Papin y sus Rumberos! "Oye mi Quinto bonco" that track on the classic album "Guaguanco"......wow! Don't know if it's in print now.

[BAJO]

Now you're talking!!

[davidAaronCarte]

Originally Posted by jsbarber

Now that is truly impressive, Mr. Bajo. As are your recording credits: George Benson, Wynton Marsalis, Willie Nelson, Tito Puente...
as listed in allmusic.com

Jim

holy crap
I just got that Marsalis/Nelson album
Bajo, you're an intense player, man
saw you on tv, ahah