Product Description Learning to play the bongos has never been easier than with this new DVD from Alan Dworsky, the award-winning author of "Conga Drumming" and "How to Play Djembe." Designed for the first-time hand drummer, this video teaches fun, funky grooves that fit with all kinds of music. The instruction is clear and step-by-step, with no boring exercises. Each pattern is taught with overhead and side views, and slow motion is used to help make sure every detail is clear. The techniques used in this non-traditional approach are easy to learn and easy on the hands. Each lesson has a matching play-along track to practice with. The DVD comes with a PDF file with charts of all the patterns, and there's a section on the video explaining how to read the charts. Also included are tips on tuning and how to hold the bongos, explanations of basic rhythmic concepts, and examples of how to use the grooves to play along with recorded music or jam with friends. About the Actor Alan Dworsky is the author of several bestselling books for hand drummers, including A Rhythmic Vocabulary and Conga Drumming - both of which won the DRUM Magazine Readers Poll for Best Instructional Book - as well as How to Play Djembe and Hip Grooves for Hand Drums. His videos include Bongo Grooves for Beginners, Gentle Djembe for Beginners, Cajon Grooves for Beginners, Left-Handed Guitar for Beginners, and Cup Drumming for Kids.
P**S
Wish I had started here
This is the right place to start for a beginner like me. Started with the Kalani Bongo (and Conga) Jam videos, but glad to have this one now.Another of Dworsky's titles is Gentle Djembe and that would fit this one, too. It feels comfortable from the start, like he's just out to show you the basics rather than smoke you with his chops. And it's also free from embedded manufacturer endorsements.I love Latin music and when I'm ready I'll probably go back to Kalani et al. But I want to really get a solid foundation here first. For a beginner like me this is a fine introduction to the bongos without macho bluster.
H**R
Nice starting point.
As a total beginner this was an excellent place to start. You get a half dozen rhythms to play with that you can master and get some confidence going. Doesn't blow you away with high speed or various syncopations or strange timing...very straightforward. Having no percussion experience myself I spent a couple hours a day for a week and feel very good about what I accomplished.
S**
fun play
fun to play with, instruction video could be more specific and detailed to learn.
B**L
Fun/Do-able Lessons
This was what my boy needed for learning his bongos. While it's just the beginning rhythms.....it's perfect for him! I check him off on a star chart when I feel like he's mastered each lesson to keep him motivated. He loves it.
C**S
Save your money
Save your money and time. Too simple and too little. Better books are avallable. Look for instructional videos on Youtube. Try the Salloum book from Mel Bay.
A**R
Excellent Instruction!
The instruction is methodical and well planned out. The application to music is immediate, because half of the lesson you have a beat going. Each lesson ends with him playing the learned pattern along with music.
B**4
Mostly advertisements
This was great for my son who got a set of bongos for his birthday, however, much of the DVD is advertisements for other DVD's...
D**Y
Great DVD
Fun, is the best way to describe it. Laid back and cool. Inspires you to enjoy playing the Bongos. Makes it easy to learn. Great techniques and wonderful play along sections. I enjoy it and look forward to practice after a long day. Dworksky makes it fun.
Trustpilot
1 month ago
1 week ago
