Christos Asonitis www.christosasonitis.

com
Drummer/ Educator

Salsa (montuno section) for Drumset

Information
Salsa music is a general term referring to what is essentially Cuban popular dance music which
was internationalized outside Cuba. The term "Salsa" was initially recorded, promoted and marketed
in New York City during the 1970s. The various musical genres comprising salsa include the Cuban
son montuno, guaracha, chachacha, mambo, bolero and to a less degree, non-Cuban genres such
as the Puerto Rican bomba and plena, the Dominican merengue, and the Colombian cumbia.

Instruments we emulate on the following pattern

Timbales (mambo and bongo bell) and bass.
Mambo bell (contra campana) and bongo bell (campana de bongó) of the timbalero on a mambo bell
and a bongo bell and the bass on the bass drum.

Source of the pattern

Cuban drummers and educators Enrique Pla, Jose Eladio Amat Medina and Ramses Rodriguez
Websites;
Enrique Pla: www.myspace.com/enriquepla
Jose Eladio Amat Medina: www.sites.google.com/site/afrocubanpercussionworkbook/about-jos-eladio-amat-medina
Ramses Rodriguez: www.myspace.com/ramsesrodriguezbaralt

Drum Key

  
  
Bongo bell Bongo bell Mambo bell Hi hat Bass drum
(mouth) (body) on foot

Drum Pattern for Salsa (montuno section) (Video Lesson)

( = 100)
               
         
Notes
1. The line of the mambo bell of the previous pattern is the line that a timbalero plays when also at
the same time plays the bongo bell. This line is different than the line of a mambo bell that a
timbalero plays when the bongo bell is played by a bongocero.
2. You can play the mambo bell line on the hi hat or on the ride cymbal.
3. While you are playing the pattern sing along loudly the beat, and every line/ voice
separately (line of bass drum, mambo bell, bongo bell and hi hat) for achieving greater
independence and faster internalization of the pattern.

Suggested recordings of Salsa

Recordings of Afro-Cuban All Stars, Buena Vista Social Club, Johnny Pacheco, Ray Barretto,
Willie Colon, Larry Harlow, Roberto Roena, Bobby Valentin, and Eddie Palmieri.

For any questions contact to info@christosasonitis.com