In this first episode, you’ll learn the origin of the catá, its traditional names, and its direct relationship with the clave. Machito introduces the first Guaguancó pattern, explaining how to place yourself in the time and play with control, clarity, and awareness from the start.
This episode dives into the second catá pattern in Guaguancó. You’ll learn how to hold steady time as the tempo rises, feel the pulse without tension, and understand why the catá and the clave must always move together for rumba to work.
Here the energy drops as Machito enters Yambú, the slowest and most melodic rumba style. Machito teaches the traditional catá pattern, how to care for sound and groove, and how to accompany the song with softness, respect, and rumbero elegance.
The course closes with Columbia and its six-eight feel. You’ll learn to play the catá continuously and without accents, keeping equal energy in both hands. Machito guides you to maintain stable, conscious time—even as the speed increases.
In this extra video, Machito demonstrates catá exercises in Guaguancó, Yambú, and Columbia, focusing on proper technique, timing, and groove. He stresses starting slowly and building speed while maintaining control and consistency.
Catá: Wooden instrument that marks and sustains the time in rumba.
Guagua / Palitos: Traditional popular names for the catá.
Abakuá: Afro‑Cuban religious society that influenced the creation of rumba.
Pattern: A repeated sequence of strokes or sounds in music.
Flow: The feeling of the rhythm moving naturally, without stiffness.
Pulse: The internal reference of time in music.
Groove: The rhythmic balance that makes the music “walk.”
Yambú: The slowest and softest rumba style, associated with elegance and sweetness.
Cadence: The smooth, balanced motion of the rhythm.
Danzón: A traditional Cuban rhythm that influenced Yambú.
Columbia: A fast, energetic style of Cuban rumba.
Six-Eight: The meter used in Columbia.
Without Accents: Playing without emphasizing any strokes more strongly.
Campana: A metal bell that keeps time in Columbia and guides the groove.
Round Tone: A clear, even sound without tension.
Tempo: The speed at which the music is played.
