The Mambo Track
The Testing Rules:
1. Each can be attempted only twice during any testing session.
2. Each groove must be played a total of 2 minutes continuously to be considered “passing”.
3. You may administer the test all at once or lesson by lesson as you learn them.
4. You can either choose to test yourself, ask a friend or parent to monitor your test, or upload a video of your test to the Student YouTube Channel. If you do a video, please follow the testing rules. You’re only cheating yourself if you don’t.
SIDENOTE: Remember that the Mambo is felt in CUT TIME (double time). So 100bpm would be 200bpm in cut time. These are PROFICIENT levels and practical/applicable tempos. If you feel like continuing to work on a particular world rhythm (and you should) then that is fine. However, once you reached these tempo markings with each assigned groove then I would consider you proficient in that groove and move you on in your lessons.
The Test
Session 1: Beginner-Play the groove consistently at 60bpm
Intermediate-Play the groove consistently at 80bpm
Expert-Play the groove consistently at 100bpm.
Session 2: Beginner-Play the groove consistently at 60bpm
Intermediate-Play the groove consistently at 80bpm
Expert-Play the groove consistently at 100bpm.
Session 3: Beginner-Play the groove consistently at 60bpm
Intermediate-Play the groove consistently at 80bpm
Expert-Play the groove consistently at 100bpm.
Session 4: Beginner-Learn all bass drum patterns using cascara pattern #1. Play consistently at a tempo of 60bpm
Intermediate-Learn all bass drum patterns using cascara patterns #1 and #2. Play consistently at a tempo of 80bpm.
Expert-Learn all bass drum patterns using cascara patterns #1 and #2. Play consistently at a tempo of 100bpm
Session 5: Beginner-Play each kick drum pattern 4x through at 60bpm using cascara patterns #1 and #2. Must be able to move to the next pattern without stopping.
Intermediate-Play each kick drum pattern 4x through at 80bpm using cascara patterns #1 and #2. Must be able to move to the next pattern without stopping.
Expert-Play each kick drum pattern 4x through at 100bpm using cascara patterns #1 and #2. Must be able to move to the next pattern without stopping.
Sessions 6-9: Beginner-Each hi-hat pattern with cascara pattern #1 moving through each bass drum variation from the bass drum workout at 60bpm. Play each kick pattern a minimum of 4x before moving on to the next.
Intermediate-Each hi-hat pattern with cascara pattern #1 and #2 moving through each bass drum variation from the bass drum workout at 80bpm. Play each kick pattern a minimum of 4x before moving on to the next.
Expert-Each hi-hat pattern with cascara patterns #1 and #2 moving through each bass drum variation from the bass drum workout at 100bpm. Play each kick pattern a minimum of 4x before moving on to the next.
Session 11: Beginner-Play cascara pattern #3 at 60bpm.
Intermediate-Play cascara pattern #3 at 80bpm
Expert-Play cascara pattern #3 at 100bpm
Session 12: Play cascara pattern #3 groove with each kick pattern at 60bpm. Play each kick pattern at least 4x through before moving on to the next.
Intermediate-Play cascara pattern #3 groove with each kick pattern at 80bpm. Play each kick pattern at least 4x through before moving on to the next.
Expert-Play cascara pattern #3 with each kick pattern and each hi-hat pattern at 100bpm. Ply each hi-hat and kick pattern at least 4x through before mocing on to the next.
Session 13: Beginner-Play cascara pattern #4 at 60bpm.
Intermediate-Play cascara pattern #4 at 80bpm
Expert-Play cascara pattern #4 at 100bpm
Session 14: Play cascara pattern #4 groove with each kick pattern at 60bpm. Play each kick pattern at least 4x through before moving on to the next.
Intermediate-Play cascara pattern #4 groove with each kick pattern at 80bpm. Play each kick pattern at least 4x through before moving on to the next.
Expert-Play cascara pattern #4 with each kick pattern and each hi-hat pattern at 100bpm. Ply each hi-hat and kick pattern at least 4x through before mocing on to the next.
Session 15: Beginner-Play cascara pattern #5 at 60bpm.
Intermediate-Play cascara pattern #5 at 80bpm
Expert-Play cascara pattern #5 at 100bpm
Session 16: Play cascara pattern #5 groove with each kick pattern at 60bpm. Play each kick pattern at least 4x through before moving on to the next.
Intermediate-Play cascara pattern #5 groove with each kick pattern at 80bpm. Play each kick pattern at least 4x through before moving on to the next.
Expert-Play cascara pattern #5 with each kick pattern and each hi-hat pattern at 100bpm. Ply each hi-hat and kick pattern at least 4x through before mocing on to the next.
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Session 1#165 Intro to the Mambo [expand title=”Description”]An introductory lesson on the Mambo. This lesson will teach you the various percussion roles within the song style and how to replicate each on the drum kit. [/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/september2014live/sds165sd.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/september2014live/sds165hd.mp4″]  |
Session 2#166 Mambo: Cascara Pattern #1 [expand title=”Description”]An introductory lesson on the Mambo. This lesson will teach you the various percussion roles within the song style and how to replicate each on the drum kit. [/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/september2014live/sds166sd.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/september2014live/sds166hd.mp4″] |
Session 3#167 Mambo: Cascara #2 [expand title=”Description”]There are a number of different cascara patterns used within the Mambo song style. This lesson covers cascara pattern #2 and how to apply it to the rest of the groove.[/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/livelessons/intmrngcascaramambopt29_20_12-20120920-103457_678_qtp.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/livelessons/intmrngcascaramambopt29_20_12-20120920-103457_678_qtp.mp4″] |
Session 4#168 Mambo Bass Drum Variations [expand title=”Description”]Within the Mambo song style there are a number of common bass patterns that we as drummers need to be aware of. This lesson will teach you the most common patterns and how to apply them to your Mambo studies.[/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/september2014live/sds168sd.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/september2014live/sds168hd.mp4″] |
Session 5#169 Mambo Kick Drum Workout [expand title=”Description”]If you thought learning all of the various kick patterns was hard, this will take it one step further! Learn how to systematically work through each of the different parts in the Mambo and apply all of the various kick patterns.[/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/september2014live/sds169sd.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/september2014live/sds169hd.mp4″] |
Session 6#170 Mambo Hi-Hat Variations Pt.1 [expand title=”Description”]Part 1 of a 4 part series. In the same way that there are many kick drum variations within the Mambo, there are also many options for how and where to place the hi-hat within the groove. This lesson series will systematically take you through each of the hi-hat variation and how to apply them to the rest of the groove.[/expand] |
Session 7#171 Mambo Hi-Hat Variations Pt.2 [expand title=”Description”]Part 2 of a 4 part series. In the same way that there are many kick drum variations within the Mambo, there are also many options for how and where to place the hi-hat within the groove. This lesson series will systematically take you through each of the hi-hat variation and how to apply them to the rest of the groove.[/expand] |
Session 8#172 Mambo Hi-Hat Variations Pt.3 [expand title=”Description”]Part 3 of a 4 part series. In the same way that there are many kick drum variations within the Mambo, there are also many options for how and where to place the hi-hat within the groove. This lesson series will systematically take you through each of the hi-hat variation and how to apply them to the rest of the groove.[/expand] |
Session 9#173 Mambo Hi-Hat Variations Pt.4 [expand title=”Description”]Part 4 of a 4 part series. In the same way that there are many kick drum variations within the Mambo, there are also many options for how and where to place the hi-hat within the groove. This lesson series will systematically take you through each of the hi-hat variation and how to apply them to the rest of the groove.[/expand] |
Session 10#174 Mambo Workout [expand title=”Description”]This lesson continues to help you learn how to work through the many moving parts in this song style in a very systematic and organized way. A fun work out once you get it down![/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/livelessons/intevngmamboworkout10_9_12-20121009-200036_678_qtp.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/livelessons/intevngmamboworkout10_9_12-20121009-200036_678_qtp.mp4″] |
Session 11#175 Mambo Cascara Pattern #3 [expand title=”Description”]There are a number of different cascara patterns used within the Mambo song style. This lesson covers cascara pattern #3 and how to apply it to the rest of the groove.[/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/livelessons/intmrngcascarapat312_13_12-20121213-103041_678_qtp.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/livelessons/intmrngcascarapat312_13_12-20121213-103041_678_qtp.mp4″] |
Session 12#176 Mambo Cascara Pattern #3 Bass Drum Variations [expand title=”Description”]Applying the various kick drum patterns found within the mambo to cascara pattern #3.[/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/livelessons/advevngcascarapat3bdvariations12_13_12-20121213-200314_678_qtp.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/livelessons/advevngcascarapat3bdvariations12_13_12-20121213-200314_678_qtp.mp4″] |
Session 13#177 Mambo Cascara Pattern #4 [expand title=”Description”]There are a number of different cascara patterns used within the Mambo song style. This lesson covers cascara pattern #4 and how to apply it to the rest of the groove.[/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/feb2013live/sds2_28_13intmrng_sd24.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/feb2013live/sds2_28_13intmrng_hd24.mp4″] |
Session 14#178 Bass Drum Workout Cascara Pattern #4 [expand title=”Description”]Applying the various kick drum patterns found within the mambo to cascara pattern #3.[/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/feb2013live/sds2_28_13advevng_sd25.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/feb2013live/sds2_28_13advevng_hd25.mp4″] |
Session 15#56 Mambo-Cascara Pattern #5 [expand title=”Description”]There are a number of different cascara patterns used within the Mambo song style. This lesson covers cascara pattern #5 and how to apply it to the rest of the groove.[/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/may2013live/sdsadvevng5_16_13_sd56.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/may2013live/sdsadvevng5_16_13_hd56.mp4″] |
Session 16#70 Mambo Cascara Pattern #5 Bass Drum Variations [expand title=”Description”]Applying the various kick drum patterns found within the mambo to cascara pattern #3.[/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/june2013live/sdsadvaftrn6_20_13_sd70.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/june2013live/sdsadvaftrn6_20_13_sd70.mp4″] |
Session 17#79 Cascara Practical Example “ABC” [expand title=”Description”]Many world rhythms eventually wind up being used in popular music. Here is an example of a cascara pattern being incorporated into the song “ABC” by The Jackson 5.[/expand] [jwplayer config=”default” file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/july2013live/sdsadvaftrn7_11_13_sd79.mp4″ hd.file=”https://s3.amazonaws.com/theselessonsdontsuck/july2013live/sdsadvaftrn7_11_13_hd79.mp4″] |