The Art of Playing Timbales is designed for the beginning timbalero, or drumset player, who wants to understand how to play Afro-Cuban music in a professional setting. If you have just purchased a pair of timbales, this book will teach you everything from proper setup, stick sizes, rhythms, independence, transitions, song forms, and SOLOING. Each music example has a corresponding track number which can be found on the CD. Simply read the music exercises, and listen to the corresponding track number on your CD player.

A complete Afro-Cuban percussion work-out. Each exercise on timbales is also arranged for drumset. Conga and bongo students will find their parts in each section of the book and CD. Please note: to take full advantage of this book, students are encouraged to learn each part for timbales, drumset, congas, and bongos.

Each section features play-along CHARTS and CD TRACKS with some of NY's top Latino musicians: Sergio Rivera (piano), Victor Venegas (bass), Heriberto Rivera (bongo), Aníbal "Tito" Rivera (congas), and Victor Rendón (timbales and drumset). By using these play-along charts you will gain valuable realistic playing experience that will directly translate to your school ensemble or professional group.

CHAPTERS: Introduction, Position of the Timbales, Different Sounds, Clave, Abanico, Cha Cha Chá, Son, Transitions, Bell Patterns, 6/8, Independence, Mozambique, Solo Phrases, References.

ALSO INCLUDED: INTERVIEWS with famous timbaleros: MIKE COLLAZO (Tito Rodriguez, Celia Cruz, Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente), JOSE MADERA (Machito, Fania All-Stars, Pacheco, Tito Puente), and JOHNNY ALMENDRA (Jóvenes del Barrio, Willie Colón, Mongo Santamaria, John Scofield).

And SOLO TRANSCRIPTIONS from GUILLERMO BARRETO ("Descarga Cubana" from Cuban Jam Sessions in Miniature Descargas) and MANNY OQUENDO ("Llora Timbero" from Conjunto Libre Ritmo Sonido Estilo).