Hands Up! for Conga Trio - 3 Min.; for 3 Congas (or Djembes); easy to intermediate

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Hands Up is a conga trio based loosely on elements of west African djembe rhythms. It is a wonderful exercise in producing quality bass and dead strokes, open tones, and slaps.

Instrumentation
Percussion 1 (conga and brush)
Percussion 2 (conga and blastick)
Percussion 3 (conga and mallet)

Hands Up is a conga trio based loosely on elements of west African djembe rhythms. The piece opens in 12/8 time with a unison statement from the ensemble, then alternates between layered patterns, solo sections for each players, and that original statement. The mid-section of the piece shifts temporarily into 4/4 time and each player utilizes a different implement (brush, blastick, or mallet) on the conga or conga shell. The original feel returns for a short reprise of the opening material. Listen carefully to the variety of sounds drawn from the conga by means of bass and dead strokes, open tones, and slaps.