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Feb.6,2011“how to play congas?”
We’d love to have a simple answer to this frequently asked question 
Let’s see the possible approaches to learn playing congas.
The options are simply:
- classes with a teacher (either private or for a group)
- multimedia, like DVD, online videos, youtube etc.
- books about conga drums and percussions
Needless to say, private classes are a great option but expensive too.
Group classes are more fun but less effective as people have generally different background and different pace in learning rhythm and technique.
The multimedia options are vary and some are more valid then others, but in any case the lack of someone correcting you puts them in disadvantage compared with classes.
About books… we don’t encourage books for the beginner conguero… they are instead great resources for the advanced player that has already a well developed technique under the belt.
Considering that learning percussions is a never-ending process… for us the best way to properly learn balancing quality and price is a combination of the 3 methods.
Percussion Conga is happy to announce that starting with this article we’ll review for our readers the different products and options out there!
Keep on reading our first review…
Conga drum lessons by PercussionSecret.com
The product:
Percussion Secret presents a 2 DVDs product with online immediate access of the contents, featuring lessons on many percussion instruments from the brilliant Tim Irrgang!
Quality:
We got online access to review the product for you.
The video lessons are really very well done: the record quality is perfect, with 2 cameras recording Tim playing from 2 different angles.
Tim explanations (in his Aussie accent 
) are very clear, right to the point, and well balanced between what is discussed and what is shown on the instruments.
Contents:
DVD 1 covers the basics of eleven common percussion instruments:
Bongo Drums
Tambourine
Shakers
Timbales
Hand Cowbell
Cabasa
Maracas
Triangle
Clave
Castanets
Guiro
DVD 2 covers the conga drums in detail showing you some basic patterns plus how to effectively use them in a variety of styles.
Opinion:
There are 3 things we really liked in this video training series:
1) in the conga lessons after base and open tone, Tim teaches a simple rhythm to let the students practice before moving on with the slaps. I liked this because the slap is the most difficult sound to produce, so often the beginner students are frustrated if this is presented too early in the lessons!
2) there are examples of rhythms used not only in Salsa, but also in rock, swing and samba music, so after these lessons it’s already possible to cover different music styles!
3) good fundamentals in different percussion instruments at once!
We have to say that while congas are covered in good details, most of the instruments are just presented on a very basic level, so don’t expect an exhaustive set of lessons about *every* instrument covered because this is not what this product is about.
Instead, this product is an absolutely brilliant overview of many percussion instruments at once, exposed by Tim in very clear and effective lessons, with special attention to conga drums.
Because of that, we recommend this product to start with, before moving forward to classes or more advanced video series.
You can order now Percussion Secret DVDs from here:
Percussion Secrets
Price: $69.00
Two DVDs with FREE shipping plus instant online access
Happy studying!
Percussion Conga Staff
Tags : conga, how to play, lesson
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Great for me that I found your Blog… I just started with my own Blog, can I reference to this post? I want to write something on similiar topic!
Hi Jennyb,
sure you can reference this post!
And if you’ll write about congas let us know and we’ll find a way to collaborate
Looking for a Instructor for my website be great for both of us, You can promote yourself.Please make contact frankofchapp@aol.com
Hi congaman,
what are you looking for exactly?
Thanks!
Daniel
Looking for someone to offer tips on my website on Latin Percussion,a chance to promote yourself and my website. Any interest?
Well now that I have Had my website up for about 10 months now and have been selling my share my share of all sorts of Hand Drum, Congas,Bongos,Djembe and Cajon and I do have to say the feedback on the Tycoon line of hand Drums have been overwhelming ,The people that I have spoken to take have bought the Tycoon Conga Master Platinum Sunrise Series are Dazzled by their quality and Brilliance and the fact that they come with a free stand helps the pocket out.
One of the best deals on my website is the Tycoon Supremo Natural Congas these double drum set come with its’ own stand and is quite the deal you are all set up and ready to go.Tycoon also has a large selection of Cajon Drums from the Acrylic, Amplified and Angled ,these were about the biggest seller an my wesite. Almost forgot the Bongos and Djembes,what a great selection they have and fine quality .So If you are going shopping with some of your Christmas money next month don’t count out that company that not to many people know about but probably make more Drum then any of the rest ,Tycoon. Post Holiday Sale coupon 10% All Tycoon Gear punch 7124
Happy Shopping!
The story of the Cajon
begins centuries ago when African slaves were brought to the Spanish colony of
Peru. The slaves, forbidden to use their traditional instruments, were forced
to play tables, spoons, chairs, and other household items. The Cajon is the modern
descendent of an instrument made from a simple Fish wooden box.
The Cajon is box-shaped, standing about eighteen inches
tall and approximately ten inches deep. The frame of the drum is made of
hardwood, with a thinner piece of plywood used for the front cover. The back or
side of the Cajon has an open circle cut in it, coincidently about the same
size as the hole on your average bass drum head. The musician sits on the
Cajon, and hits the instrument with his or her hands. In traditional Peruvian
performance, the musician alternates two strokes to the center of the drum with
various other rhythmic variations.
Now the Cajon drum has come
a long way from a Cod fish box.They make them Rounded ,Amplified,Acrylic,all
sort of colors and even padded. This kind of sounds like a fish story ,Just watching someone playing this layed back sort of drum may look easy ,but give it a shot!
Namm 2012 Larger Than Life
Hi everyone just got back from Namm Last night still recovering .I think this was the best show ever or at least I can’t think how they can make it any better. I heard some of the best Percussionist and Guitarist ever.Take a look at Hanna Ford and Giovanni Hidalgo You gotta listen to this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Ely7aAnX3dw
Got back from The Namm show a couple of weeks ago,took a tore of the Gon Bops Percussion Booth and was taken back by some of the gear.The congas had an earthly look and sound quite unique .The higher end Bongos had a sound like I’ve never heard very crisp.You can check these sounds out on my website.
Here is a short History of Gon Bops
Gon Bops is the sound of the most legendary and authentic percussion in the world
Gon Bops History and Production The Gon Bops story begins in early 1950′s California. According to legend, it was here that Mariano Bobadilla and Tom Flores began working together building the finest drums available at the time. The two went on to become the most highly regarded conga builders in the percussion industry. Tom founded Valje® Drums and crafted the most sought after Afro-Cuban instruments made in the US, while Mariano founded Gon Bops™, one of the oldest and most respected manufacturers of Latin instruments in the world.
Take the advantage of my Namm discount 12% off all Gon Bops gear till Feb 29th punch in coupon code 2012
Good Sounds to All
Frankie
http://www.congabongodrum.com/Gon-Bops/85/index2.html
I want to Congratulate Daniele for “successfully” completing his 3 day Conga Intensive at my home in Seattle WA…he worked very hard and will become a very good Conga drummer over time…Keep up the “Good Works,Daniele!”….JC Johnny Conga
Hi Johnny, I live on Camano Island, just retired and have too much time on my hands-would like to learn some percussion, especially congas and xylophone/vibes. Do you have any suggestions on where to find reasonable used instruments in this area? Do you teach congas? Thanks, John
I am available for ONLINE CONGA DRUM LESSONS if your still interested…please email me and let’s do it!..This Works!…Tks…Johnny Conga
At the age of 61 I have gotten fired up to learn playing the congas. I have watched a few online video instructions and am looking for a good instructor in Phoenix. I would like to start out with some slower rhythms to play along with, songs such as Oye Como Vas and Guajiro. I find the hand patterns helpful. Does anyone know where I could get those, online or in a book? I have an LP Aspire set of the quinto and conga. Any tips appreciated!
Hi Rebecca,
Awesome story!!!
I recommend you first to check the online video series available, read this post:
http://www.percussionconga.com/percussion-conga/best-beginners-free-conga-youtube-lessons
For online lessons via Skype, I recommend you contacting Johnny Conga! (http://www.myspace.com/jcjohnnyconga).
Let us know how things are going!
Thanks
Will look into those ideas. Wish Johnny Conga could come to Phoenix for a workshop. The pair I purchased are a conga and quinto. I am thinking I should have gotten a conga and tumbaro ..maybe later..Thanks for the advice and will keep in the loop here
I AM OFFERING ONLINE CONGA DRUM LESSONS THRU SKYPE.THIS WORKS!..Like having me in the room with you, learning at your convenience..please email me at johnnyconga@hotmail.com if interested..I have online students from Australia to Norway..you could be next!…I can take you where you want to go on the Conga drum and save you years of learning time, and help you build a foundation for the rest of your drumming life…I have been playing the conga drum for over 45 years and counting and have worked with Carlos Santana to Eddie Palmieri and many others..
Also for those in the beginning stages of playing the Conga drum, please go to my video channel here and ‘browse videos” of mine . I have over 40 videos of learning and performances.
http://www.youtube.com/user/JohnnyConga