Master the Foundations of Authentic Afro-Cuban Bass
The True Cuban Bass by Carlos Del Puerto and Silvio Vergara is a definitive guide to Afro-Cuban bass playing, written by one of the musicians who helped shape this music.
If you want to understand where salsa, Latin jazz, and modern Afro-Cuban bass lines truly come from — not just patterns, but feel, phrasing, and tradition — this book gives you direct access to the source.
Created primarily by Carlos Del Puerto, the groundbreaking bassist of Irakere, this method explores the rhythmic and stylistic foundations that underpin Cuban music across generations. Whether you play acoustic or electric bass, the principles presented here will deepen your time-feel, expand your vocabulary, and help you play more authentically.
Inside you’ll find:
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Bilingual text (English and Spanish)
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Transcriptions of complete bass parts in multiple Cuban styles
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Detailed studies of foundational grooves that form the roots of salsa
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Access to a free audio download featuring both historic Cuban recordings and Carlos performing each exercise
Rather than offering simplified adaptations, The True Cuban Bass presents the music in its full rhythmic depth — helping bassists internalize tumbao construction, stylistic nuances, and the subtle interplay between bass and percussion.
This is essential study for any bassist serious about Latin music, and valuable reference material for arrangers, composers, and rhythm section players as well.
Spiral-bound, 63 pages.
Sample Pages: Lágrimas Negras
Sample Audio: Lágrimas Negras
Endorsements:
“This is a magnificent book which will bring all bassists closer to authentic Latin music.”
— Chucho Valdés
“A musical lifesaver for any musician wishing to dig a little deeper into the wonders of Cuban music.”
— Rebeca Mauleón
“Great information for any musician interested in the inside of the Afro-Cuban bass. From traditional to contemporary bass, this book is a must for all levels. Great job!”
— Oscar Stagnaro
“An exceptional book written by two authorities on Afro-Cuban music. For the intermediate or professional bassist, this is it! For the composer or arranger, this is the definitive source of information on the subject.”
— Victor Mendoza
Bassist Carlos Del Puerto is a living legend of Afro-Cuban music. As a founding member of the seminal fusion group Irakere — alongside Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, and Chucho Valdés — he helped create a new genre of Cuban jazz fusion and has remained a central figure in Afro-Cuban music ever since.
