CONGA SOLO by Mongo Santamaria
by Alex Pertout
This article supports the documentation of the enormous legacy and contribution of Mongo Santamaria to the world of percussion and in particular conga drums. This document presents an excerpt from a solo Mongo takes on a version of 'Naked' from his 'Live At Yankee Stadium' release of 1974 (Vaya Records through Fania), rereleased in 1992 on cd by the German company Third.
Conga drum nomenclature:
O= Open Tone S= Open Slap
Listen to the recording and take your time to work through the material step by step. Begin by focusing on individual phrases, then move on to practicing segments of two to four bars, and finally, piece together the entire solo. The material, as performed by Santamaria, features some of the most iconic conga drum phrases, reflecting his legacy as one of the most influential players in the instrument's history. It also showcases his exceptional skill in executing off-beats and displaced crotchet triplet patterns. To fully develop your skills, dedicate time to practicing all the material at different tempi, ensuring a well-rounded and thorough understanding.
â–ª Mongo Santamaria
Live At Yankee Stadium (Vaya XVS-26)
© 1998 Alex Pertout. Published by Drumscene Magazine​.