Why Study at CongaMasterClass.com? Welcome to our sample area where you can view several free conga lessons lessons. All conga lessons are in Flash format for the highest possible quality. Here's what you get: -
Multiple Views - Most conga lessons have multiple views. The different components can consist of: -
a detailed lecture/instruction on the specific genre/beat being taught -
a normal tempo lesson view -
a slow tempo lesson view -
a play-along recording that you can download to your computer or Ipod This variety of views for each lesson enable you to get the perspective you need, when you need it. -
Play-Along Recordings (coming soon!) - After learning the basics in each style, a downloadable play-along version is made available for your continued practice. Through continued repitition of the various beats and patterns you will soon become a more versitile performer! -
Different Class Levels - There are many different levels of conga classes represented here at CongaMasterClass.com. From Beginning to Advanced and everything in between, we are positive you will find something challenging and inspiring to enhance you current level of playing. Michael Spiro been teaching students some for over 30 years and have expertise in Afro-Cuban music that you can't find anywhere else. Sign up for the 3 day trial period and we are sure you will find the lessons informative and entertaining. -
Varied Materials - Our goal is to create a library of online classes that can expose and teach players the various song and beat forms in the conga drum's diverse repertory from simple clave, to Salsa Tumbao, to Guaguanco. The website and methodology contained in CongaMasterClass.com has been constructed for everyone from professionals to students who want comprehensive instruction, at their individual pace, over a period of time convenient to them. The entire library will be available to subscribers any time of the day or night. This convenience and the low subscription price make this a must for anyone wanting to master the conga. Just log on and learn -
Multiple Instruments (coming soon!) - Although we initially started the site to deliver conga instruction users have told us they wanted additional instruments to be covered. Michael coveres all of the essential Afro-Centric instruments as well. We will provide videos for Bongo, Shekere, Maracas and even the very challenging Batá. -
Discussion Forum - Included with your subscription will be access to our conga discussion board/forum. Here you can interact with other conga students, post links to your YouTube.com videos and get feedback on your progress from myself or other members. We are trying to create a community here where players and students can learn at their individual pace, grow their confidence and appreciation for a world-class art form, and simply have fun! Come and join us, grow with us and experience directly for yourself. Please enjoy our free conga lessons. We have included several of our lessons for you to study. Play through each one to see how easy is it to learn conga with us!
If you have any questions about how things work around here, or conga in general, please visit our FAQ .
Come and join us, grow with us and experience the excitement of Afro-Cuban percussion directly for yourself. Sign-up now! Your future as a better Conguero awaits you! | Michael Spiro  Michael Spiro is an internationally recognized percussionist, recording artist, and educator, known specifically for his work in the Latin music field. He has performed on thousands of records, co-produced and played on several instructional videos for Warner Bros. Publications, inlducing ones by Talking Drums, Changuito, Giovanni hidalgo, and Ignacio Berroa, and produced seminal recordings in the Latin music genre, including Orquesta Batachanga, BataKetu with Mark Lamson, Mark Levine and the Latin Tinge, Grupo Ilu-Ana and BataMbira. He currently resides in San Francisco, California where he is an integral part of the Bay Area music scene. He records and produces with groups throughout the West Coast, and still tours world-wide with the percussion trio "Talking-Drums," which he co-leads with David Garibaldi and Jesus Diaz. In June of 1996, his recoding with Mark Lamson, BataKetu was released to international critical acclaim, and was voted one of the top 50 drum records of all time by Drum Magazine, they debuted that material on the stage in 2002 with a performance grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and in that same year he performed with his own group "Ara Meji" at the Monterey Jazz Festival, where he received the Distinguished Achievement Award in Percussion. In 2004 he received a Grammy nomination for his work as both  producer and artist on Mark Levine's Latin/Jazz release "Isla." In 2005 he released his maost recent recording "BataMbira" which is quickly received rave reviews, and was he was voted runner up as best percussionist in the jazz/fusion category in the 2005 Drum Magazine's Reader's Poll Awards. Michael's recording and performing credits include such diverse artists as David Byrne, Cachao, The Caribbean Jazz Project, Dori Caymmi, Changuito, Richard Egues, Frank Emilio Flynn, Ella Fitzgerald, David Garibaldi, Gilberto Gil, Giovanni Hidalgo, Ray Holman, Toninho Horta, Bobby Hutcherson, Dr. John, Mark Levine and the Latin Tinge, Machete Ensemble, Bobby McFerrin, Andy Narell, Ray Obiedo, Chico O'Farrill, Eddie Palmieri, Lazaro Ros, David Rudder, Carlos Santana, Grace Slick, Omar Sosa, Talking Drums, Clark Terry, McCoy Tyner and Charilie Watts. In addition, he has recorded soundtracks to such major motion picutres as Soapdish, Henry and June, True stories, Sworn To The Drum, Walker, Eddie Macon's Run, and Dragon-The Life of Bruce Lee, and wrote several arrangements for the Tony Award winning Broadway show BLAST! which was released on video by PBS in 2002 Michael's books and recordings can be purchased on Amazon.com. |
