MODERN STUDIES AND RUDIMENTS FOR A
NON STYLE-SPECIFIC APPROACH TO CONGA DRUMMING

A companion for life for students of any level, advanced players and teachers, containing an ever-growing collection of studies presented as downloadable pdfs and accompanying streamable videos.

Cover of the Introduction to The New Conga Lab e-book

Download the free "Introduction to The New Conga Lab" pdf booklet

The core content of THE NEW CONGA LAB, accessible in the subscribers' area, is regularly updated, with new studies added every month.
At present it consists of 72 written studies, 20 of which are accompanied by videos. Please visit THE NEW CONGA LAB's Youtube channel for previews.

UPDATES AND NEW ADDITIONS:

September 2, 2024

There's a new SHOP PAGE, where non-subscribers can buy individual scores of some of the tunes from the album "A Thousand Rawhide Diaphragms", plus a small selection of studies from the subscribers-only area.

August 20, 2024

The score for the congas duet A CHEAPER LOVE LETTER (FOR EGBERTO GISMONTI), first single from the album "A Thousand Rawhide Diaphragms" was added to the studies page, together with a video.

July 14, 2024

Following an observation from a subscriber, the study DIGRESSIONS ON A NEW ORLEANS BEAT has been edited, and sticking is now fully notated on ALL exercises. A lesson about this study has also been recently filmed, and will be edited and uploaded soon.

June 23, 2024

The study CORE C-2.1 was expanded, with three additional permutations
Minor bugs were fixed on the layout of CORE B-2.2, CORE B-2.3 and CORE F-8.1
Two new studies were added: CORE F-9.1 and CORE F-9.2

Free study of the month

ORGANIC STUDY ON A TUMBAO BASE

The sticking of the first line remains constant throughout this study; any of the new elements on the exercises following are always adding to, never replacing, any of its sixteen subdivisions, and are always played with the right hand.

DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT. HEAR IT FROM THE PLAYERS:

WILL FRY, UK (Jungle, Asake, Eliane Correa. Professor at The Royal College of Music, London)

“An essential addition to the syllabus of any conservatoire and a lifelong companion for every hand percussionist.
Maurizio Ravalico expertly blends his deep knowledge of the history and vocabulary of the conga whilst continually pushing the creative boundaries of the instrument.
Rather than studying by imitation, the exercises in TNCL stimulate creativity from within, and function as internal music meditations, instinctively guiding the user to develop their own identity and sound.
In contrast, Maurizio’s unifying standardisation of notation encourages collaboration with both composer and player, enabling both to write intricately and decisively with a method that is immediately understood by all.
The New Conga Lab really is such a wonderful resource, and so eloquently written. An incredibly useful tool that I look forward to getting deeper and deeper into.”

ALESSANDRO PETRUSSA, ITALY

“I really value Maurizio’s TNCL for how the core elements of congas technique are analysed, meticulously broken down and reassembled. The exercises, often deceptively simple, have exposed bad habits in my playing, which without realising it were limiting my expressive ability. I have been using this method for about a year now, often in preparation for live performances, with an almost “meditative” approach, and I have observed over time a greater fluidity and precision in my movements, as well as a more incisive sound presence.”

FABIO DE OLIVEIRA, UK (Jacob Collier, Jordan Rakei, Airto Moreira, George Ezra, SAULT)

“The New Conga Lab is a fantastic tool for anyone looking to learn or develop their musicality as well as their conga playing. I have no doubt it’s gonna feature in the daily routines of percussionists for generations to come!”

MASSIMO ORSELLI, ITALY (Tony Momrelle, Grégoire Maret, Dirotta su Cuba, Allan Harris. Meinl endorser)

"I have known known Maurizio Ravalico for years, as he was my first percussion teacher. I sincerely think that this method is a new worldwide achievement in the teaching of percussion instruments.
Maurizio’s studies are revealing conga drums from a completely new and refreshing perspective, and force beginners and professionals alike to re-examine every single beat and movement that makes a conga pattern from its root.
Wherever you are, whichever stage you are as a player of this instrument, I strongly recommend you to subscribe to The New Conga Lab."

ERNESTO MARICHALES, UK (Checo Feliciano, Larry Harlow, Youngblud, Sigala)

“I have been checking Maurizio’s method, and found it very unique, creative and extremely effective as part of a complete study of the conga. As an ambidextrous, sometimes while learning I have difficulties with the ‘handing’, especially with more than two congas. I found this method particularly good for hand order and technique of movement between congas!”

MODERN STUDIES AND RUDIMENTS FOR A NON STYLE-SPECIFIC APPROACH TO CONGA DRUMMING

UPDATES AND NEW ADDITIONS:

Free study of the month

DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT. HEAR IT FROM THE PLAYERS:

MODERN STUDIES AND RUDIMENTS FOR A
NON STYLE-SPECIFIC APPROACH TO CONGA DRUMMING