South American Percussion

South American Percussion gives you a living map of the continent’s rhythms, guided by Latin Grammy winning percussionist and composer Samuel Torres. You will explore the sounds, feel, and vocabulary that define regional identities while building rock solid time, coordination, and musicality.

Across a clear sequence of modules, you start with essential rhythmic tools, then move through specific traditions from Colombia and Peru, examine Afro-Cuban influences across the region, and finish with the expressive language of Maracas Llaneras from the Venezuelan plains. Along the way you will internalize polyrhythms, clave logic, and authentic phrasing that translate to drum set, hand percussion, production, and live performance.

The course balances technique with culture. You will not only learn how to execute grooves and ornaments, you will also hear where they come from and how to listen for the feel that makes them breathe. Expect concise demonstrations, counted examples, and musical applications that help you embody the groove in solo and ensemble contexts.

What You’ll Learn

• Rhythmic tools for coordination and time: 3 against 2, 2 against 3, 4 against 3, triplet syncopations, and sixteenth note syncopations
• Colombian percussion styles: Bambuco Pasillo, Fandango, Currulao, and Mapalé
• Afro-Cuban influence across South America: 6/8 feels, clave structures, cowbell patterns, and shekere technique
• Peruvian cajón language: Festejo and Landó, with solo and ensemble applications
• Maracas Llaneras: grip, stroke mechanics, ornaments, patterns, and improvisation concepts

Is This Course for You?

This course is a strong fit if you are a drummer or hand percussionist eager to expand beyond familiar patterns, a producer seeking authentic Latin and South American grooves for tracks, or a music educator building culturally rich rhythm units. If you can keep steady quarter notes and are comfortable counting subdivisions, you will gain a big leap in coordination and feel. Advanced players will find fresh ideas for phrasing, transitions between meters, and nuanced articulation on cajón, maracas, and auxiliary percussion.

Meet Your Instructor

Samuel Torres is a Colombian born, Brooklyn based artist whose work bridges Afro Latin rhythm, Latin jazz, and contemporary classical music. A Latin Grammy Award winner, he has collaborated with leading voices across genres, from Tito Puente, Paquito D’Rivera, and Chick Corea to Yo Yo Ma, Shakira, and Marc Anthony. An experienced educator, he has taught at institutions including Berklee College of Music and Manhattan School of Music.

What’s Included

• A structured path covering rhythmic tools, Colombian styles, Afro-Cuban influence, Peru, and Maracas Llaneras
• Technique breakdowns with counted examples and practical exercises
• Groove demonstrations you can adapt for solo and ensemble settings
• Cultural context to support authentic feel and interpretation
• Practice guidelines to help you build speed, coordination, and musicality

Ready to deepen your groove and expand your palette with the sounds of the continent? Start learning today and bring these rhythms into your playing and productions.