Did you saw Jesus DÃaz playing the pattern (live clinic, video/dvd) or listened to it?
It was taught directly to a group of us by him.
Did you hear the sound sample I put up in the post?
That's him playing it, and he's even calling out the accents. If you've heard any of his CDs, you'd easily recognize his unmistakeable voice.
As I know, the "A Caballo" pattern (wich means
by horse) uses only 2 drums. The 1
st two notes (
1 &
e) are played as open tones in the higher pitched drum, and the lower pitched drum is only played for open tones on the
and of every even beat (2 & 4). Accented slaps are played in every beat, except for the 1
st, wich has the open tone before mentioned. It can work with both 3-2 or 2-3 clave, but I've only seen with 3-2. IMHO (as James would say
) it works best with a soca or bomba
palito pattern.
This is the pattern commonly used in contemporary merengue from Dominican Rep. and Puerto Rican
JÃbaro music. For examples go and pick a cd from any contemporary merengue band or check Puerto Rico traditional music; it is highly demanded during christmas season in Puertorican neighborhoods. Maybe Tamboricua can help you with some recommendations. I'm not in the States, so I don't know what can be available.
Thank you for a llittle more of the background of the rhythm, for which I knew nothing. All I know is Jesus's version, which is different than what you mentioned,, and not be much. I'm quite sure that Jesus's "one" is second of the double low tones.
He also plays it on two drums and hits the slaps on every downbeat.
When played with Son Clave, this rhythm creates an interesting and unique pull.
Again thanks!
Dave
