Cajon/Djembe/percussion players...share tips with a noobie!

[soong]

Yo all.

Being a uni student...i've got time for this stuff...so i bought my mate's old Cajon today, pictured below.




Anyone got any tips for hand percussion? What should i practice? Do any of you guys play Djembe/cajon/bongos/etc?

[Phalex]

Tape your fingers!!

[Iv@N]

is that a peruvian cajon?

[Nagrom]

I've seen a lot of pro guys use kick pedals on these as part of a percussion rig.

[soong]

Originally Posted by Iv@N

is that a peruvian cajon?

Aren't Cajons from Peru anyway?

[Iv@N]

No. There are also Spanish cajons, which have a different sound.

I can give you some information about the playing techniques later this evening.

[Iv@N]

Here you go, I found some videos that explain the techniques.
The audio is in spanish though, but the man shows the correct technique.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac3U9AmHDZY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kwkni...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tmlh...eature=related

The styles covered on the videos are: Marinera, Walz and Festejo

Hope this helps,
Iván

PD: Do not put the foot in front of the cajon like him. He´s doing it because his cajon is old.

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by Phalex

Tape your fingers!!

Not necessary if you play with good technique and aren't a constantly-gigging heavy hitter. For most people, good technique is to strike with the pads of your fingers, NOT the first finger joint. Noobs are always tempted to strike with that joint because it produces a louder, sharper sound right away, but that road leads to arthritis and pain. It takes time practicing to get a good sound striking with the pads, but once you have that down, you can play your whole life with no tape and no pain. The exceptions are (a) people with extra-dry, fragile skin, and (b) touring pros who compete with a loud amplified band for two or three hours every night, year after year. There's only so much human hands can take.

[soong]

Originally Posted by Iv@N

Here you go, I found some videos that explain the techniques.
The audio is in spanish though, but the man shows the correct technique.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac3U9AmHDZY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kwkni...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tmlh...eature=related

The styles covered on the videos are: Marinera, Walz and Festejo

Hope this helps,
Iván

PD: Do not put the foot in front of the cajon like him. He´s doing it because his cajon is old.

Thanks for the links Ivan, will definitely check them out. Also, whats this business with striking with the 'pads' of my fingers? What does this mean? Recently i've been in a bit of pain after a long jam. My whole hand feels bruised! How exactly do i use my 'pads'?

And why cant i put my foot in front?

[bongomania]

On the underside of your fingers, there is a soft fleshy part in between each bone joint of each finger. If you cup your hand slightly into a shallow "bowl" shape, then the parts of your hands that will strike the drum head are the softest part of the tips of your fingers, and the softest part of the "heel" (lower part) of your palm. Keep your hand stiffly in that position, and you will prevent injury.

[uethanian]

does anyone here use a cajon in their band in place of a kit? i've heard one group do it and it turned out well. having the hardest time finding a player though...

[Bongolation]

The one caveat I have is to be extremely careful not to injure yourself, which is very easy to do.

I messed up the tendons in my right elbow playing congas and nearly ten years later I still have pain.

My other advice is to not get doctrinaire about "authentic" playing style, which I regard as bunk.

Here's my bongo hero, a true thrash player who plays bongos from gospel to punk to bluegrass to Celtic to rock.

He does some astounding playing, and he plays as he likes.

[Iv@N]

Bongomania explained the thing about the pads very well.

About the foot. You should keep a good posture, something like this: http://sobre-peru.com/wp-content/upl...on-peruano.jpg

Ivan

[newbold]

Cajons can work to replace a kit. Great for touring with a station wagon.

[soong]

Originally Posted by Iv@N

Bongomania explained the thing about the pads very well.

About the foot. You should keep a good posture, something like this: http://sobre-peru.com/wp-content/upl...on-peruano.jpg

Ivan

Thanks Ivan. I noticed the players in the pic all have their backs angled - is this ok?

[ijazzyu]

Thanks for the Video Ivan.....