Bongo drums are an important part of Latin music. These percussion instruments can create exciting, danceable beats whether used alone or with the company of a band. To get drumming on your own set, look through this guide on how to play bongos for beginners.
- Bongos are among the most fun and invigorating instruments to play. Their light weight and diminutive size make them easily portable, and they can be used with many different styles of music. These Cuban drums are simple to learn, and the enjoyable hands-on banging can even be therapeutic for many bongo enthusiasts. As an interesting side note, bongo is also the name of a type of African forest antelope, pictured on the right.
Playing Bongo Drums
Step 1: Get a Set of Bongos
- Head to your local music shop or the Internet to purchase your first bongo set. Keep in mind that you should not go for the most expensive pair right away. First of all, you don't want to spend a fortune on an instrument that you may not end up playing very often. In addition, higher-quality bongos are generally heavier then their less expensive counterparts. Starting with a lighter set will be less cumbersome for beginners.
Step 2: Practice Your Form
One of the keys to becoming a good bongo player is practicing correct form. To play, sit up with your back straight and your feet flat on the ground. Set the drums between your knees, and place your arms on your thighs. Tap on the drums with your fingers.
Practice using different fingers to produce different sounds. Generally, you will begin the beat with the larger drum and echo or embellish with the smaller one. For a bigger sound, try using your whole hand.
Step 3: Study
- Listen to professional bongo players for ideas on how to improve your playing, and to learn new beats. Many Latin recordings feature bongos, so do some CD shopping. Her are a few names to look for:
- Machito
- Tito Puente
- Willie Rodriguez
- Jack Costanzo
- Ray Romero
- A good book on bongo playing can also be an invaluable tool for beginning players. Check out the web, music stores, or even the local library for reading options.
Conclusion
Bongos are unique and broadly appealing, and can be heard in many types of music. Once you get the hang of your instrument, try playing along to some of your favorite tunes. Reggae, ska, rock and roll, and African and Latin music are some examples of the styles you will be able to drum along to once you have mastered your bongo drums.
