Drums and Cymbals

How To Play Bongos

sore joints and fingers and thumb tendon thing?

hello, its me again.
i'm hurt-again. in a percussion class at summer camp, i play the bongos with the wrong technique. My finger joints(mostly ones in the middle) are sore and red and hurt/throb when i press on em, though not that much. Also, there's like this vein/tendon/nerve/flesh thing on the side of my thumb that hurts more than anything else because i hit that part on the bongos alot.
note: i do not have arthritis or old age thing. i am 13.
i want to know how i can get rid of the pain, how long it takes to go away, if this can resurface in my 70's as deep arthritic pain, and HOW DO I PLAY THE BONGOS CORRECTLY??

if your hitting your thumb on the instrument, your using too much hand.
to play the bongos correctly, you should really only be using the index, middle, and ring fingers on each hand. with the smaller bongos, use only from the last knuckle to the ends of your fingers on the heads. if your on the lower pitched cungas, then the last two rows of knuckles should be used. the last row of knuckles that you use on the drum should be hitting approximately even with the edge of the drumhead. this way, you still get the same impact and also the maximum resonance.
as for the pain; it'll go away on its own if you play regularly for a few months. your hands and fingers just aren't used to all this impact yet. this shouldn't come back as arthritis as long as you keep all the muscles in your forearms relaxed (tensing up your chops will put undue stress on your tendons and joints).

also, a few interesting sound effects:
one that can be used for both cungas and bongos: if you want to change the type of sound, lay one hand flat on the drum, with the heel of your palm in the middle of the head and your fingers extending to the far part of the drum. then, with your other hand, strike the drumhead with the first row of fingers as close to the near edge as possible. this technique dampens all resonance in the head, creating nothing more than a distinct popping noise when done correctly
a second one only works on the larger, deeper-sounding cunga-drums. just take the heel of your palm and slam it into the dead center of the head. this creates a deep thud that sounds a little bit like a bass drum. however, be careful with this technique; if you accidentally hit the drum with the inside of your wrist instead of the heel of your palm, you'll hit a nerve that will numb your entire hand for a few minutes.

Play Conga & Bongo Drums Today! [VHS] $19.99 ...

Alfred Play Bongos & Hand Percussion Now Book & 2 CD Set $24.99 This book approaches bongo playing in a very user-friendly way. It is a must for all students who wish to learn the basic styles, patterns, and techniques from world-renowned artist/teacher Richie Gajate-Garcia. This package contains two CDs with Richie performing all the exercises and includes play-along tracks to practice with. Styles include Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican, pop/rock, funk, and R&B, along with a section on school jazz band use. This is a complete study of the bongo drum and should be fun for all who use it. Also includes an in-depth study of all basic hand percussion instruments such as shaker, bells, cabasa, triangle, tamborine, maracas, and more.Includes the Play Bongos and Hand Percussion Now! CDs.

Mel Bay World Percussion Volume 3 - Bongos DVD $19.95 Here you will learn the story behind the bongo drum, how to tune it, the correct playing position, the different sounds, hand technique, and study exercises and rhythms. All rhythms are taught with a metronome (click track). This DVD is playable in five languages: English, French, Italian, Spanish-Castellano, and Catalá dialect.Following this you will be able to see and hear the rhythms played by a live band. Finally, you will be able to play along in the Minus One section. A free PDF in English and Spanish including scores of all the exercises and rhythms is available at the Mel Bay website. Also included are tips on buying an instrument, how to organize your study time, and links section to the best sites on the web.Bonjo Rhythms: Bomba, Merengue, Afro, Bembe, Swing, Rumba, Tangos Flamencos, Taguillos, Samba, Rock. Cowbell Rhythms: Rimo base, Campaneo, Cascareo, Mozambique, Acaballo.

Nino ABS Bongos Red $44.99 Kids love the whacky colors, suitable even for toddlers. Synthetic heads and ABS plastic shells ensure constant tone that's unaffected by weather and humidity. And they're very lightweight—only 2 pounds. Patented tuning system lets drums come tuned and ready to play right out of the box. 6" high.

Latin Percussion LP201AX-2 Generation II Bongos $279 LP Generation II Bongo Drums are constructed of kiln dried, Siam Oak, and fitted with hand-selected natural rawhide heads. Their pronounced shell contour helps to create crisp, distinct high tones. They feature a specially designed steel backing plate and plated cast aluminum bottoms that help to prevent cracks from occurring in the shell. The bongos also feature LP's Comfort Curve II rims, which provide a more comfortable playing surface so you can play for longer periods of time. Its 5⁄16" diameter tuning lugs have been carefully formed to hug the shell making them as comfortable for playing as possible.

Nino ABS Bongos Green/Yellow $44.99 Kids love the whacky colors, suitable even for toddlers. Synthetic heads and ABS plastic shells ensure constant tone that's unaffected by weather and humidity. And they're very lightweight—only 2 pounds. Patented tuning system lets drums come tuned and ready to play right out of the box. 6" high.

Latin Percussion Performer 2-Piece Conga Set with Free Bongos $489.99 This Performer 2-Piece Conga Set with Free Bongos includes 11" and 11-3/4" Performer oak congas and matching 6-3/4" and 8" Peformer oak bongos. The drums feature quality hardware and EZ-Curve rims for precise tuning and easy-on-the-hands play. Crafted from Siam oak, these Latin Percussion drums sing in the upper-mid frequencies with full open tones and crackle with high-pitched slaps. The exterior shell design and steel bottoms provide extra durability and stability during play. Each drum comes standard with tucked heads.

Latin Percussion Redwood Aspire Conga Set with Bongos and Stand ¹ $513 Latin Percussion Aspire Wood Congas are ideal for students, beginners, and aspiring musicians. This conga/bongo set provides great value at an affordable price. The congas are 28" tall, crafted from kiln dried, environmentally friendly Siam oak. The bongos are 6-3/4" and 8". All drums feature natural rawhide heads.Double-braced stands are provided for both the congas and bongos, so you can play the traditional seated way without stands or incorporate the stands for standing play. The congas and bongos both feature black powder coated rims, LP Aspire side plates, and 9⁄32" diameter tuning lugs. The EZ Curve Rims offer improved strength, a unique skin wire channel, and a curved surface for great playing comfort. Natural rawhide tucked heads. Tuning wrench included.

Meinl Headliner Designer-Series Conga Set with Free Bongos $539.99 This Meinl Headliner Designer Series Conga Set includes 10", 11", and 12" congas as well as a free set of bongos.Meinl Headliner Designer-Series Congas Each conga drum comes with a height-adjustable basket stand. The hand drums' compact size is easy for young players to handle, light to carry, and has a full, rich sound. You can develop a full foundation of conga techniques and rhythms with these student-friendly hand drums.Each Meinl drum shell is made of rubberwood decorated with an exotic-looking cloth covering. The Headliner conga also features a hand-selected buffalo skin head, strong tuning lugs, and the original Meinl style tuning brackets for great authentic tones and easy tunability. Its rounded rim offers a comfortable playing surface, so you can play the Meinl conga as long as you need, without killing your hands.Meinl Headliner Designer-Series Bongo Drums The Meinl Headliner Designer Bongos provide great sound and looks for an easy price. The exotic looking cloth-covered drum shells are made of rubberwood and adorned with hand-selected buffalo skin heads for authentic sound and feel. The Meinl bongo drums' exotic look is accented by black powdercoated rims that are rounded for playing comfort.

Alfred How to Play From a Fake Book $16.95 For musicians of all levels, How to Play From a Fake Book teaches you how to use bass lines, countermelodies, introductions and endings, rhythmic patterns, embellish a melody, and how to accompany. Learn all the techniques needed to "fake" a great-sounding accompaniment from just melody, lyrics, and chord symbols.

First Note Bongos Red $19.95 A great set of bongos for little hands. Available in Red, Blue or Yellow. Great for Ages 2 and up.

Matador Wood Bongos Black $149 Kiln dried, environmentally friendly Siam Oak wood bongos with cast aluminum bottoms and traditional rims.

Backbeat How to Play Metal Guitar (Book) $16.95 The book How to Play Metal Guitar by Richard Johnston gives you vital instruction in metal basics from top guitar teachers, and reveals the secrets of the monsters of metal - often in their own words. Packed with musical examples, charts and photos, this is your complete course for learning metal guitar. In-depth guitar lessons with pros like Andy Ellis, Jesse Gress, Joe Gore, Jude Gold and Dave Whitehill teach you to build your own style while exploring the classic and modern sounds of the metal guitar masters. How to Play Metal Guitar covers: tips on altered tunings and 7-string guitar, pros' secrets of tone and recording, discography of the monsters of metal, and free access to audio lessons at an exclusive web page!

Toca Synergy Bongos Blue $42.99 Toca Synergy Bongos offer exceptionally expressive sound and feel. The bongos feature 2-ply select wood shells, black powder-coated hoops and lugs, and natural rawhide heads. This Toca Bongo Set has an Afro-Cuban design and sound, with strong bass tones. The bongos' EasyPlay hoops protect your hands, and enhance the sound of the drums. The bongos stand up to high tuning ranges, due to their 4-bolt tension plates that spread the tension over the shell. This Toca Bongo Set is great for players of all ages and styles.

Toca Synergy Bongos Red $42.99 Toca Synergy Bongos offer exceptionally expressive sound and feel. The bongos feature 2-ply select wood shells, black powder-coated hoops and lugs, and natural rawhide heads. This Toca Bongo Set has an Afro-Cuban design and sound, with strong bass tones. The bongos' EasyPlay hoops protect your hands, and enhance the sound of the drums. The bongos stand up to high tuning ranges, due to their 4-bolt tension plates that spread the tension over the shell. This Toca Bongo Set is great for players of all ages and styles.

Toca Synergy Bongos Amber $42.99 Toca Synergy Bongos offer exceptionally expressive sound and feel. The bongos feature 2-ply select wood shells, black powder-coated hoops and lugs, and natural rawhide heads. This Toca Bongo Set has an Afro-Cuban design and sound, with strong bass tones. The bongos' EasyPlay hoops protect your hands, and enhance the sound of the drums. The bongos stand up to high tuning ranges, due to their 4-bolt tension plates that spread the tension over the shell. This Toca Bongo Set is great for players of all ages and styles.

Toca Rafael Padilla Bongos $149.99 These Rafael Padilla Signature Wood Bongo Drums feature Asian oak shells with a dark teak gloss finish. Sized slightly smaller in diameter than regular bongos, they are capable of generating crisp highs without sacrificing low frequencies. They're more comfortable than standard bongos for long periods of playing.The shape of these hand drums resembles the old style Cuban bongos, and they are equipped with high luster chrome hardware, traditional rims, and top-grade Bison heads. These bongos cut through the mix with warm tones and have a wide tuning range.

Alfred Guitar World How To Play Blues & Blues Rock Guitar DVD $14.95 In the jam-packed How to Play Blues & Blues Rock DVD, Guitar World's esteemed associate editor Andy Aledort gives comprehensive instruction on how to play licks from blues rock greats like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and many others. You'll also learn how to perform rhythm and lead in the style of blues masters and get a complete course in slide guitar, including how to play in the style of the great Elmore James. With more than 90 minutes' worth of guitar lessons, How to Play Blues & Blues Rock DVD is ideal for beginning, intermediate, and advanced players.

CP Traditional Wood Bongos $49 CP Traditional Wood BongosTraditionalCP Traditional Bongos have traditional rims for a sturdy, heavier feel. With 6" and 7" rawhide heads, they come complete with a tuning wrench for easy tuning and an attractive carrying bag.

Studio 49 Bongos $266 These Studio 49 bongos are laminated hardwood, mahogany shells with tunable natural skins. This bongo set is excellent for young students or in the classroom setting; great sounding set of drums.

Meinl Headliner Wood Bongos Natural $84.99 Meinl Headliner Series Bongos are perfect for the student or hobbyist who is looking for a high quality instrument right from the beginning.

Meinl Headliner Wood Bongos Vintage $84.99 Meinl Headliner Series Bongos are perfect for the student or hobbyist who is looking for a high quality instrument right from the beginning.

Matador Wood Bongos Royal Blue $149 Kiln dried, environmentally friendly Siam Oak wood bongos with cast aluminum bottoms and traditional rims.

Hal Leonard How To Play Piano Despite Years of Lessons $20.69 The method in How To Play Piano Despite Years of Lessons is a truly entertaining approach to playing the piano. Written by Ward Cannel of the Piano Consortium, the method breaks down music theory into visual concepts which are fun and easy to grasp, so you can learn to play the music you want to play! Perfect for all those piano lesson dropouts!

CP CP221 Tunable Bongos with Bag $49 The CP CP221 Tunable Bongos with Bag are made from Asian hardwood. They feature traditional rims for a sturdy, heavier feel and 6" and 7" rawhide heads. CP includes a tuning wrench and an attractive carrying bag with your CP221 Tunable Bongos.

Meinl Headliner Series Bongos Acrylic $114.99 Meinl Bongo Drums from the Headliner Series are perfect for the student or hobbyist looking for a high-quality hand drums to refine their techniques on. With its rubber wood shells and hand-selected buffalo skin heads, these bongos deliver both quality and affordability. The bongos are equipped with great-looking black powder-coated hardware.

Meinl Headliner Series Bongos Maple $84.99 Meinl Bongo Drums from the Headliner Series are perfect for the student or hobbyist looking for a high-quality hand drums to refine their techniques on. With its rubber wood shells and hand-selected buffalo skin heads, these bongos deliver both quality and affordability. The bongos are equipped with great-looking black powder-coated hardware.

Latin Percussion Generation III Bongos $279 LPs bongo with a slightly larger head size with the large half of the bongos featuring a head diameter of 9" instead of the more traditional 8 5/8 " providing additional bottom end response and greater volume. The shell contour is similar to the LP Generation II Bongos.