10 LATIN AMERICAN DRUM GROOVES

THE CHA-CHA

Originally from Cuba, the Cha-Cha typically features the beat on the hi-hat with the left
hand playing on the snare drum. In addition, the right hand plays on the small tom-tom on
the fourth beat.

Groove 1
Right hand on small tom-tom

4
/4

In Latin American grooves, it is common to play the rim of the snare drum instead of the
skin. One way to notate a rim shot on a music score is shown below:

10
Play groove 2 using the rim shot technique on the snare drum.

Groove 2 ?
4 3 3 3 3
/4
20
Latin American grooves often also use the hi-hat closing with the left foot. This is indicated
in a music score as shown below: ?
?
30
?
10
?
Play grooves 3 and 4 with the hi-hat closing with the left foot on each beat of the bar. The
right hand plays the ride cymbal throughout the rhythm.

Groove 3

Right hand on
Left hand on
ride cymbal
small tom-tom

4
/ 4

Left hand on
Floor tom-tom

Groove 4

Right hand on
ride cymbal

4





/ 4

Left hand on
small tom-tom Left hand on
floor tom-tom

THE MAMBO

In a typical mambo groove, the ride cymbal pattern is broken up around the tom-toms and
snare drum. The hi-hat closes on the second and fourth beats.

Groove 5

Right hand on Left hand on

ride cymbal small tom-tom

4




/4



Groove 6

Right hand on Left hand on

ride cymbal small tom-tom

4 j

/4

ROCK AND ROLL MAMBO

In grooves 7 and 8, the hi-hat also closes on the second and fourth beats. The cymbal pattern
is played on the ride cymbal with the right hand.

Groove 7
Right hand on Left hand on
ride cymbal small tom-tom

4
/4

Groove 8
Right hand on Left hand on
ride cymbal small tom-tom

4
/4

THE SAMBA

Originally from Brazil, Samba grooves are played fairly fast. In the groove below, play the
tom-tom notes with the right hand.

Groove 9
> > > >
> > >
4
/4

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THE BOSSA NOVA

Like the Samba, the Bossa Nova is also originally from Brazil. Bossa Nova grooves feature the
snare and bass drum playing syncopated rhythms.

Groove 10

4 3
3



3



3




/4 J J
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