Secrets of the Hand

Book excerpt: This book is for any hand drummer who wants to learn to improvise and solo. Whether you play djembe or conga, the practical hand-pattern strategies explained here will help you get the most out of your hands with the least amount of effort. And whether you want to solo in a traditional African or Afro-Cuban ensemble, in a drum circle, in a band, or in your living room along with your favorite CDs, Secrets of the Hand will help you take your playing to the next level. The book is organized into two main sections. The first section covers the five basic hand-pattern strategies and the second covers the five strategies for creating the illusion of speed. Each new strategy builds on the ones before it. And while you're learning the strategies, you'll also be learning over a hundred patterns that should be a fountain of ideas for you when you solo.