Afro-Cuban Latin Drumming Techniques

Play all of the Latin grooves we use in Jazz drumming. 

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Play the most-used Afro-Cuban Latin drumming techniques and beats in Jazz.

Afro-Cuban Latin Drumming Course

  • Instructor: Von Baron
  • Level: Intermediate-Advanced
  • Study time: 3.5 hours
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Course Overview
Play the most-used Afro-Cuban Latin drumming techniques and beats in Jazz. Learn the beats made famous by Art Blakey and Elvin Jones.

These are the essential Latin drumming patterns and beats that every drummer needs to know to play Jazz on the drums.

  • Drum Lessons Video: 3.5 hours
  • Drum Lessons: 12
  • "Sound ☑️" Playing Tests: 10
  • Instructor Playing Examples: 10
  • 10-Page PDF Download
  • Drum Practice Tracks: 32
  • Drum Lab Monthly Drum Class

Latin Drumming Drumming Techniques

My Afro-Cuban Latin Drumming Techniques Course will make you more confident playing many of the Afro-Cuban Latin drum beats we use in Jazz drumming. After completing this course, you will be able to play a whole new set of Latin grooves for the drum set and use them when you play Jazz music.

West-African drumming became two main styles of playing we often call "Latin" drumming.  One style is Brazilian (coming from Brazil) and the other Afro-Cuban (coming from Cuba). 

Afro-Cuban Latin drumming played a huge role in the creation and evolution of Jazz drumming. We still use many Afro-Cuban Latin grooves in Jazz drumming today.   

Latin Drum Beats On The Gig

For most drummers though, it's often confusing both how and when to play these grooves. This course will teach you how to play essential Afro-Cuban Latin grooves and play them with other musicians.

Maybe you've been on the gig and the singer said, "Let's do this song in a 6/8 Afro-Cuban style." Or the pianist said, "This tune is a 3:2 Son Clave."  If you're like me, I used to be like a deer in the headlights in these situations. I had no idea what to play.

This course will help you know exactly what to play and when to play it.  Learning Latin beats like Mambo, Cha-Cha-Cha, Bembé, Songo and 3/4 Afro-Cuban are going help you gain more confidence in your Jazz drumming and get more playing opportunities. 

More About These Drum lessons on Latin Drumming Techniques

This course has videos for:
  • How to play with Latin drumming feel
  • Son, Rhumba and Bembe Clave
  • 10 important Afro-Cuban Latin drum beats,
  • Useful drum fills for this style 
  • How to choose the correct Clave pattern
  • Listening recommendations


These drum lessons also follow a downloadable 10-page PDF. 

I've even included 8 drumless tracks in this course that have 4 different mixes each.  These will help you master your Latin drumming techniques and grooves with authentic Afro-Cuban music played by real musicians. 

The mixes include:
  • Full mix with all instruments
  • Mix without percussion
  • Mix with percussion only
  • Mix with bass only


All lessons are great for the beginning drummer up to the advanced drummer. Sign up today and add Afro-Cuban beats to your Jazz drum set playing.

PREVIEW THE COURSE

Here's the lesson on Cha Cha Cha.  Learn 9 more important Latin grooves, drum fills and download the PDF's and practice tracks for your Jazz drumming inside the course.  
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COMPLETE COURSE PACKS

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8 Courses + Drum Lab

BEGINNER JAZZ DRUMS COMPLETE COURSE PACK

Learn everything you need from scratch in this course pack to get swinging on your drums. Save yourself 45% too while you're building a rock solid Jazz drumming foundation. 

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8 Courses including this one + Drum Lab

INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED JAZZ DRUMS COMPLETE COURSE PACK

This course pack covers everything you need (including the Latin Drumming course) to get you out there playing with other musicians. Enjoy 45% off while you sharpen your Jazz drumming skills.

Jazz Drums Total Lessons Pack

From clueless to gig-ready! Start from scratch and groove your way up to advanced Jazz drumming. Grab all my courses to go from your first beat to stealing the show—and save 50% while you’re at it!
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Drum Lessons Power Pack

Get this course + 3 more at a huge discount!  Focused Jazz drumming lessons for beginner to advanced drummers.
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Get swinging at an incredible price!

Easy as one, two or three

Pay one time or choose your plan

Monthly Groove Pass

$39.95/Month
Dive into the world of Jazz drumming using the Monthly Groove Pass. Every course is within reach with an affordable monthly investment in your passion!
  • Full access to over 300 lessons
  • Ask Von Baron questions anytime
  • Free monthly Drum Lab class
  • Track your drumming progress
  • Try it for a day for free

6-Month Groove Pass

$160/6-month
Discover your Jazz drumming brilliance with the 6-Month Groove Pass— access all courses for a budget-friendly semi-annual investment in you!
  • 2 months free
  • Full access to over 300 lessons
  • Ask Von Baron questions anytime
  • Free monthly Drum Lab class
  • Track your drumming progress
  • Try it for a day for free

Annual Groove Pass

$280/Yearly
Immerse yourself in the universe of Jazz drumming through the Annual Groove Pass! All courses are at your fingertips with a budget-friendly yearly commitment to your musical journey!
  • 5 months free
  • Full access to over 300 lessons
  • Ask Von Baron questions anytime
  • Free monthly Drum Lab class
  • Track your drumming progress
  • Try it for a day for free

THE LESSONS

AFRO-CUBAN DRUMMING LESSONS

The essential Afro-Cuban grooves every Jazz drummer needs to know
  • INTRO AND BRAZILIAN 16THS - 08:17
  • MAMBO SON & RUMBA CLAVE + BONUS GROOVE - 23:59
  • 2-3 SON CLAVE - SOUND CHECK - 07:01
  • 3-2 RHUMBA CLAVE - SOUND CHECK - 05:18
  • 2:3 MAMBO SON CLAVE PERFORMANCE - 01:37
  • 3:2 MAMBO RHUMBA CLAVE PERFORMANCE - 01:52
  • CHA-CHA-CHA - 09:55
  • CHA CHA CHA - SOUND CHECK - 06:04
  • CHA-CHA-CHA PERFORMANCE 1 - 01:41
  • CHA-CHA-CHA PERFORMANCE 2 - 00:45
  • GUAGUANCO - 05:20
  • GUAGUANCO - SOUND CHECK - 06:13
  • GUAGUANCO PERFORMANCE - 01:39
  • SONGO - 04:45
  • SONGO SOUND CHECK - 06:03
  • SONGO PERFORMANCE - 00:33
  • BOLERO - 08:14
  • BOLERO - SOUND CHECK - 7:48
  • BOLERO PERFORMANCE - 04:41
  • MOZAMBIQUE-MAMBO HYBRID GROOVE - 7:07
  • MOZAMBIQUE-MAMBO - SOUND CHECK - 5:24
  • MOZAMBIQUE PERFORMANCE - 05:54
  • BEMBÉ - 10:14
  • BEMBÉ SOUND CHECK - 07:48
  • BEMBÉ PERFORMANCE - 00:45
  • 9/8 OR 3/4 AFRO-CUBAN - 10:24
  • 9/8 OR 3/4 AFRO-CUBAN SOUND CHECK - 05:59
  • 9/8 OR 3/4 AFRO-CUBAN PERFORMANCE - 01:49
  • DRUM FILLS - 08:13
  • DRUM FILLS SOUND CHECK - 11:28
  • CHOOSING THE CORRECT CLAVE AND CONNECTING TO THE MUSIC - 14:14
  • LISTENING RECOMMENDATIONS - 03:50

Course reviews

I recently completed the Afro-Cuban Latin drum set course by Von Baron.  As someone who's been playing drums for several years, I was looking for a course that could help me expand my Latin drumming skills. This course did not disappoint.
Christoph M.
The rhythms and independence were challenging, but Von made it fun. I feel like I've expanded my musical horizons and gained a new appreciation for Latin drumming.
Ben C.

Other Courses Recommended In This Course

The Afro-Cuban Latin Drumming Techniques Course

FOCUSED

This course saves you time and money by focusing on the most important Afro-Cuban Latin drumming techniques and beats you need to play Jazz drums like a pro.

By the end of these online drum lessons, you'll expand your drumming independence and add new grooves, fills and rhythms to your drumming.
  • 3.5 hours of drum lessons
  • 12 video drum lessons
  • 10 Sound ☑️ playing tests
  • A 10-page PDF with all of the grooves and drum fills written out.
  • 32 backing tracks for drums.
  • 10 video examples from my actual performances using these grooves.
  • Drum Lab Monthly Drum Class

AFFORDABLE

One-Time Payment. Lifetime Access to your course. Pay once, drum forever!

Pocket-friendly subscription plans also available through Groove Pass. 

PAINLESS

Learn with a relaxed, step-by-step method at your own pace.

You can also track your progress and see how much you have accomplished. Example below is from the Brushes Mastery Course.

Need a little more help with your Latin drumming techniques and beats?

Send me a direct message in the School and ask your questions in my monthly Drum Lab class. Just some of the perks for joining Jazz Drum School! 

Von Baron

Jazz drummer, educator, composer

About YOUR TEACHER

Performing regularly on stage and in the recording studio for 35+ years, Von Baron is one of the busiest drummers in Japan. 

Playing with Stanley Jordan, Benny Golson, Eddie Henderson, Geoff Keezer and many others gave Von the opportunity to hone his Jazz drumming skills. 

It's with this real world experience, Von created this course to give you a solid foundation for your Jazz drumming.
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