BONGOS 101 COURSE PREVIEW
STEP-BY-STEP BONGO LESSONS FOR BEGINNERS
Learn how to play bongos step by step, from tuning and your first sounds to the martillo, with Marcos Torres, percussionist with La India, Tito Nieves and Jerry Rivera.
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"I think CongaChops is the most comprehensive and fun Latin music learning tool on the net… And to have both of the instruments that I love (Conga and Bongo), represented, well, is just awesome."
David E. · Members' forum
The course
- Level
- Beginner, starting from zero
- Length
- 12 videos · 2 h 09 in total
- Taught in
- English · English and Spanish subtitles
- Your teacher
- Marcos Torres, percussionist with La India, Tito Nieves and Jerry Rivera
- Free now
- Bongo notation legend (PDF)
- With your trial
- All 12 full lessons and the practice routine worksheet (PDF)
In this course we'll learn
- All about the anatomy of the drums and what they’re made of
- Tips on how to tune bongos
- How to hold bongos and get started with proper posture and hand positioning
- The basic sounds you can get, and how to play the bongos safely
- Essential, must-know rhythms for every bongo player
- “Language-Based Phrases,” and how they’re the key to developing your musical vocabulary
So you picked up your first pair of bongos!
But… you’re not really sure how to hold them, you have no idea how to tune them, or where to even start learning how to play bongos. If so, this course is for you!
We’ve all had to start from zero at some point on our journey with the Bongos. This course has been carefully designed to give you all of the detailed insights you’ll need to get to know your instrument over the course of twelve in-depth bongo lessons, and get you started grooving! Watch the free Essential Grooves preview above to see how Marcos teaches.
Watch free previews
Short clips from the course. Tap one to watch it full size. The full lessons come with your trial.
The full course
Taught in English by Marcos Torres, with English and Spanish subtitles. Every lesson has a short free preview: tap one to watch it.
- 00Introduction
- 01Lesson 1 - The Anatomy of the Drum
- 02Lesson 2 - Tuning the Bongo
- 03Lesson 3 - Posture and Hand Position
- 04Lesson 4 - Sound Essentials
- 05Lesson 5 - How to Warm-Up
- 06Lesson 6 - Essential Grooves
- 07Lesson 7 - The Martillo
- 08Lesson 8 - Language Based Phrases
- 09Lesson 9 - Practice Routine
- 10Practice Routine Follow-Along
- 11Course Wrap-Up
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Practice with a real band from the first week
Members get play-along loops recorded by a real rhythm section. These are some of the loops Bongos 101 uses, all at comfortable tempos for you to learn with.
Played by Axel Tosca (piano), Oscar Stagnaro (bass), Ramon Stagnaro (guitar) and Paulo Stagnaro (percussion). Mixed by Gabo Lugo.
What members are saying
"I'm Carlos, have just picked up the bongo about six months ago, been playing a lot and kind of hit a wall with youtube lessons. I'm glad I found this because adding to my small vocab of language-based phrases today is super rewarding."
"Marcos, I'd like to let you know that you're killing it on the bongo tutorials brother. I'm really enjoying myself… Keep up the great work brother."
"A friend gave me some bongos and I love the lessons so far. I was surprised how quickly I could play the little roll between the hembra and macho demonstrated at the end of the video on bongo warm up…"
Your trial also unlocks
Questions before you start
I've never played bongos. Is this course for me?
Yes. Bongos 101 starts from zero: what the drums are made of, how to tune them, how to hold them, and your first sounds.
What language is it in?
Marcos Torres teaches this course in English, and every lesson has English and Spanish subtitles.
Who is Marcos Torres?
Marcos has performed with La India, Tito Nieves and Jerry Rivera, and he's currently on tour with Buena Vista Social Club (the Musical). He teaches all of the bongo courses on CongaChops.
Where do I start once I join?
Open Bongos 101 from Courses and start with the Introduction. Every lesson is open from day one, so you can go at your own pace.
How does the free trial work?
You get 7 days with every course, masterclass and loop. Sign-up asks for a card, and you can cancel anytime from your account before the 7 days are up.
What comes after Bongos 101?
Bongo Fundamentals. Your trial opens every course; nothing is locked.
Start Bongos 101 and get access to the entire CongaChops library with your 7-day free trial
Tune your bongos, get your first sounds and play the martillo along with a real band.
Start your 7-day free trialRisk free. Cancel anytime.