Studies for Cajon Paperback – January 22, 2009

I've been a percussionist for over 25 years but decided to take up Flamenco guitar recently with a local teacher named Maria Zemantauski Under the Lemon Tree. She always pulls out the Cajon when we have our lesson and I became immensely curious about the Cajon and bought a "scratch and dent" Cajon from Musician's Friend (same one as Maria called "Fat Congas". This music book is a great tool to learn the various hand techniques on the Cajon. If you are a percussionist, nothing should be too difficult. But learning the proper slap, bass and tap techniques make this book and accompanying CD worth it.I am enjoying it very much and recommend it to those interested in learning some of the method behind playing the Cajon.

I can't seem to quite figure this out! Better off skipping the lessons and just play along with your favorite tunes!

Frankly speaking this book gave me nothing. Even if you are a beginner you can read the whole book and play the whole beats on your lap in 30 minutes and being shocked by their simplicity and uselessness. I am wondering how Martin believes that we can learn to play Cajon with these dumb lessons.

great

This beginners manual is not for beginners! It assumes far too much so the beginner will put it down or put it on the fire.

Excellent

While this book is well done, it could stand a little enthusiasm.I prefer the Dworsky DVD Cajon Grooves by far.

What I expecially appreciated about this book was that it covered in more detail than i have been able to find anywhere, the concepts on tuning the instrument and 4 main tones used. I have played drums & some pecussion for over 30 years, but just started playing cajon 6 months ago. With little hand drumming experience, I have been able to figure out how to play beats on it fairly easily. Yet the tuning of this instrument is totally different from anything I have ever come across. This book taught me some tuning & playing concepts I did not figure out on my own, as well as helped me verify that some concepts I had worked out by trial & error were correct. I wish I had this book when I first started playing cajon 6 months ago! It also helped me identify the various sounds it can make & the proper technique to produce them. After that, it basically has musical exercises to buld up your chops on each of the 4 basic sounds. What I would have liked is then at least an introduction to some basic rhythms that are common to the cajon, beyond basic 'beats' as played on cajon which it does cover in brief. In other words, what traditional rhythms are condusive to it. It spends more time than someone as experienced in drumming as I need on simple quarter notes, etc. Other than that, I am very happy. if you are just starting out on cajon- Buy this book.