Salsa Tumbao

The rhythmic center of a salsa band is the conga drum part, known as “tumbao”. All the other instruments in the band have to fit inside of this pattern, much as the drumset part anchors a rock and roll band, or the ride cymbal of the drummer in a jazz band provides the swing.  In this section we will show you the basic pattern, and then demonstrate how you can develop and amplify it as the music becomes more complex.