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Hand Signals

Advanced Hand Signals

You can achieve a greater range of actions by stringing together combinations of signals together. You may want to stop certain groups of instruments, run 2 breaks together or even cross from one tune to another without stopping. Signals should be made in the order you want them to happen in.

Hopefully this page will give you some ideas.

Stopping groups of instruments

If you want to stop individual groups of instruments, you signal that instrument, signal stop, then signal everyone else to carry on. Only then do you count it in.

In this example we will be stopping surdos.

Stringing breaks together

It is possible to string different breaks together. Try having everyone break for 8, signal the tams to break for 4 and have the agogos continue, to have a mini build up of rhythm.

Crossing over

Crossing from one tune to another can be a bit tricky so its worth practicing. It's normally done by coming out of a break from the old tune into a break from the new tune. Try to pick breaks that compliment each other so the switch isn't to jarring. Alternatively, use the breaks for four or eight. When you are switching, you signal the crossover, then make the tune sign, before indicating which break you will be using.

One of the classic cross overs is from Xango to Kalashnikov. Signal the Xango break, then signal a cross over by crossing your hands, then signal Kalashnikov, then break 1.