var1=From 'global economy' to 'world music,' the Earth has, over time, become a place of fewer and fewer boundaries and far more overlapping edges. In this ongoing, instructor-led course, we will examine just one of those overlapping edges - the infusion of Afro-Latin, and especially Afro-Cuban, concepts into contemporary American music. This course is based on the <I>Traditional Afro-Cuban Concepts in Contemporary Music</I> self-study course from Interact and Learn and Mel Bay Publications. Students with little or no percussion experience will start out on the congas, learning fundamental rhythmic concepts and exercises that will enhance their independence of hands, feet, and voice. As students become more proficient, they 'graduate' to advanced roles where they will learn more complex rhythms and soloing concepts, and have the opportunity to move on to different instruments including timbales and drum kit.<BR><BR>This course is designed for those who wish to have a better understanding, both in theory and in practice, of one of the main roots of contemporary music - Afro-Cuban music. Although this is an extremely aggressive course from a practical standpoint, beginners as well as advanced percussionists can benefit from its content. Beginners will find many introductory rhythms that will help them become more proficient players and increase their independence of hands, feet, and voice. Advanced players will be challenged by the more complex rhythms played on different drums and percussion instruments including congas, bongos, timbales, drum kit, shekere, bells, and blocks.<BR><BR>In this course, we will cover Son, Guaracha, Cha Cha Cha, Mambo, Cabillo, Cabillo Negro, Guaguanco, Abacua, Bembe, Pilon, Songo, Mozambique , Funk Patterns, 6/8 grooves and finally odd meter grooves, grooves in 5,7,9 and so on.