Originally an Afro-Peruvian drum, the cajon is now used worldwide in a variety
of musical styles. Kevin
Ricard prefers the LP
Cajon by Mario Cortes,
which he uses in film, television, recording and performance. He feels that
one of the cool things about the cajon is that it projects a wide variety
of tones and sounds similar to a full drum kit at a fraction of the size.
In this video lesson, Kevin demonstrates basic cajon techniques. For
example, the kick sound is achieved by hitting the inside edge with
the meat of your hand. To get a snare and snap sound hit the cajon
on the edge. Kevin feels that it is a very versatile instrument for
a variety of reasons; it’s lightweight, and one can easily play hand
percussion and a loaded
kick pedal at the same time.
For American Idol’s percussionist, Kevin
Ricard, versatility
and musicality are the most important things he brings to each recording
or performance. Whether it’s the Brazilian groove of Sergio Mendes,
the smooth Latin Jazz of Herb Alpert, or rockin’ with legends
like Steve Winwood and Kenny Loggins, Kevin shows he can move smoothly
between diverse styles. "I love the challenge and the excitement
of switching gears between different musical situations." He brings
a sense of groove to the Rock, Jazz, Pop and R&B sounds, and adds
authenticity to the Afro-Caribbean and Brazilian styles. More>
