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
4
/4
Groove 6
4 j
/4
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
J
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
J