AfroCuban Bass Grooves - Making new (better tracks) for practice

[mrgeeze]

I'm starting on an effort to broaden my horizons with Patino & Morenos book. I'm not overly thrilled with the quality/effort on the accompanying CD. The bass lines are pretty muddy to me.

I'd like to build my own grooves/tunes to go along with this learning exercise. I'm well versed with Logic Pro and Band In a Box. I also have Ez Drummer3 and some Latin Midi Packs of grooves.

I want to make sure the tracks I create are solid and match the style (Mambo, Guanguanco, etc) that I'm trying to practice. Some of the above software tends to lump latin types together. Not an expert here but a style that groups Son Montuno together with Samba might be suspect.

Wondering if anyone has been down this road already and has found/done what Im after. Don't have to build it myself but don't mind the effort to create 20-30 tracks that would help me in learning this new (to me).

Thanks

 

[mambo4]

I can only assume that best path forward is programming your own rhythm parts for the percussion
I have yet to hear a "Latin" preset on a drum machine sound anywhere near correct

That means you'll need to learn the percussion parts
In my past Salsa stint, I got a lot from Rebecca Mauleon's Salsa Guidebook as far as learning the basics of the entire rhythm section. You can also finds blog posts with notation for all the voices.

 

[mrgeeze]

Here's my take Latin Bass Book Track #2. Guaracha 2-3 (chapter 1). Cminor/Eb. 167bpm
I have it segmented into 16 bar sections. Add a little change to the groove.
I used Band in a Box, Logic Pro and Toontracks Ezkeys. While I cannot credit her directly BIAB did use the pianist mentioned above for the piano part is exactly the same as the one playing the piano in my cut. Part of the Band in a Box host of great jazz players in their Real (and Midi) Tracks.

If you own the book, I believe you'll find my version is reasonably authentic. If you pan hard right you can make the bass disappear. The bass line on my track is NOT the line you would play in the exercise. Its only there to make the band groove. Turn it off as you learn the part.

Let me know what you think.

 

[mambo4]

reasonably authentic indeed.

 

[mcaputi]

I enjoyed it very much. I'm in progress in learning the bass line to this Track from the LBB. I just input the chords to Part A of this same track (CD 01 - Track 02) and am using _GUARCHA.STY Guaracha Trio. I muted the Tres to hear just the piano and drums. The supplied Bass has the same rhythm as the written part in the LBB, at least it sounds the same to me. I was wondering if someone had a set of .STY files to match with the LBB tracks.

I have to practice at 110 - 120 BPM while learning this song.