Playing Percussion Effects Masterclass/Online Course

Online Course

LESSONS

Hey!

Over the last two decades I have:

• Played in front of thousands of people on stage with several Grammy award winning artists and speakers.

• Been able to travel with my congas and have been blessed to get paid to do what I love. (Playing percussion of course!)

• Have been able to play percussion with bands rounding genres from traditional latin, pop, celtic, gospel, jazz, rock, and contemporary rock just to name a few.

However, even after playing in front of thousands I still receive great joy when I am able to pull out a drum during a family gathering and enjoy myself as I watch family members dance around the drum.

Whatever your reasons are for learning to play the cajon, congas, bongos, or other percussion instruments I have learned that the single most critical thing when it comes to learning is to practice CORRECTLY. Learning the correct techniques will not only get you playing faster, but they will also protect your hands from one of the many injuries that incorrect conga players suffer.  Over the years I have taught hundreds of students via the internet, in person, and have enjoyed seeing them move from the frustration of trying to learn to becoming passionate about new techniques through my lessons. Email me at williamjohnsonmusic@gmail.com to learn more about taking lessons with me online.

"Anyone interested in the application of Latin percussion… will find William’s chronological step by step unveiling of wisdom to be highly beneficial."
Michael Cooley

Here are some samples of what my students have said about their lessons with me:

“Anyone interested in the application of Latin percussion… will find William’s chronological step by step unveiling of wisdom to be highly beneficial.” – Michael Cooley

“This is very good instruction. Very easy and simple…Nothing is left out. Easy to follow!” -Willie J

“Of the conga instructions I have found…yours [William’s] have been the most helpful, and a great blessing to boot.” – Youtube user

I have a host of video lessons on my Youtube channel. Below are a list of a few of my most current teaching videos.

VIDEO LESSONS:

There are several tutorials on my YouTube page. The following video is from the latest series ( new videos are uploaded every Saturday morning with bonus episodes published throughout the week) and below that is a mix of previously published videos over the last few years.

Latest series: Popular rhythms in pop music

FUNKY CONGA SERIES

In this two part series (The actual video is below the photo) I continue exploring funky ideas for congas. This rhythm is derived from a basic drum set groove where the two and four accents (slaps in place of the snare for the backbeat) combine with open notes and ghost notes to create a poly rhythmic addition in a band setting. The rhythm is: L R LL R LL R LRL R LRL

L= Left hand R= Right Hand

T= touch O= open note B= bass note S= slap

The first, second and fourth R are basically a slap Open notes can be put in place of the two LL or the L R Switch it up and experiment. See the photo below for a few ideas on note placement.

Here is the video. part One.

CONGAS IN FUNK STYLE MUSIC

CONGAS IN CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP

HOW TO PLAY CAJON Playlist