Basic Bongos for Beginners

This Bongo lesson focuses on the Basic sounds, techniques, and rhythms for the bongos. It's aimed at helping beginner and intermediate players enjoy making music on the Bongos and playing music with others. Find more at / kalani .
Using Associate Links helps support World Drum Club while making sure you get the best gear for the job.
Recommended Production Gear:
Video Cameras: amzn.to/2Hre3dt
Audio Recorder: amzn.to/2qnPdD5
Audio Shotgun Mic: amzn.to/2JAaMJp
Camera Shotgun Mic: amzn.to/2IEtbn1
Main Tripod: amzn.to/2GNsAD0
Second Tripod: amzn.to/2IIwCsU
Overhead Camera Clamp: amzn.to/2IGRwsq
Audio Mixer: amzn.to/2GQS9mU
Metronome: amzn.to/2GO6rV9
Loop Station: amzn.to/2Jwf7gJ
Studio Lights: amzn.to/2EAVKiE
Green Screen: amzn.to/2JB7yoY
Computer: amzn.to/2IECBir
Media Storage: amzn.to/2HpFmEF or amzn.to/2GOlYV7
Mixing Speakers: amzn.to/2qkZC2r
Books by Kalani:
All About Congas: amzn.to/2qkUdZ6
All About Bongos: amzn.to/2JBeFxx
All About Jembe: amzn.to/2JAe67l
All About Hand Percussion: amzn.to/2EASxzI
West African Drum & Dance: amzn.to/2GQ5Y0w
Together in Rhythm: amzn.to/2JCDN7k
The Amazing Jamnasium: amzn.to/2GRQ89G
Recorders in Rhythm: amzn.to/2GS2SZV
Kalani’s World Rhythms: amzn.to/2GRfUHr
The Way of Music: amzn.to/2GQZhzp
Videos by Kalani
Drum Fun - Musical Games for Groups: amzn.to/2Hq5oId
Play Ukulele: amzn.to/2JAnE2f
Play Cajon: amzn.to/2HgvtLU
Play Congas: amzn.to/2GSBPh2
The Drum Circle - A Musical Approach: amzn.to/2II2jTe
Hula for Life: amzn.to/2GNz8l9
Recommended Drums & Accessories:
Large Conga: amzn.to/2JB2FMw
Medium Conga: amzn.to/2qmFblK
Small Conga: amzn.to/2JCvqss
Professional Conga Bag: amzn.to/2Hq7hUZ
Small Deluxe Conga Bag: amzn.to/2IIyPEM
Large Deluxe Conga Bag: amzn.to/2JzVsfP
Bongos: amzn.to/2GMRt1G
Small Talking Drum: amzn.to/2GQi7Tk
Rope Tuned Ashiko: amzn.to/2uYVnPm
Cajon: amzn.to/2GQTXfG
Cajon Package: amzn.to/2GMPx9A
Lap Top Cajon: amzn.to/2EAZqRP
Siam Fantasy Cajon: amzn.to/2Hrniua
Dark Iris Cajon: amzn.to/2HpIGzT
Traditional Style Djembe: amzn.to/2HclYxm
Traditional Marble Finish Djembe: amzn.to/2qmG25W
Traditional Pro Djembe: amzn.to/2GOsZB5
Pro Finish Traditional Djembe: amzn.to/2H6oKo3
11” Djembe Replacement Head: amzn.to/2qmrMKl
Dundun: amzn.to/2v7MRxU
Professional Ksing Ksing for Djembe: amzn.to/2v1Z4ns
Recommended Hand Percussion:
Cabasa: amzn.to/2qmpKK6
Maracas: amzn.to/2HpJhl7
Headedless Tambourine: amzn.to/2JCwooA
Headed Tambourine: amzn.to/2uZrKNY
Moon Tambourine: amzn.to/2JAILkX
Cow Bell: amzn.to/2EBbTER
8” Triangle: amzn.to/2EBAOrZ
10” Triangle: amzn.to/2EBBei3
Red Guiro - Plastic: amzn.to/2JCGh5t
Rumba Claves: amzn.to/2Hro8ai
Hardwood Claves: amzn.to/2vb2HI7
Temple Block: amzn.to/2GONyBt
Small Caxixi: amzn.to/2v1DwHR
Gold Aluminum Tube Shaker: amzn.to/2qlMw5T
Bamboo Rain Stick: amzn.to/2IKKmDz
Fiberglass Shaker: amzn.to/2JAeW3K
Merengue Guira: amzn.to/2IJawqc

[@vernaavila3979]

I'm 68yrs & got my 1st Bongos

[@zensekar]

PrAise the Lord. I am also 68.about to get bongos. Age is only a number

[@suzannedawson4120]

Lol! I’m going on 66 and seriously thinking about it. FUN THERAPY🤣🤣🤣

[@suzannedawson4120]

I’m going to want to graduate to Congo’s too

[@riyaneetamishra3381]

Great

[@reverielarke]

What is it about 68 and bongos? I just got my first set, too. Heh!

[@stelmagi61]

I am 62 years and I got my first bongos one month ago and following your lessons I already play my first rythms.Thanks!!

[@WORLDDRUMCLUB]

My pleasure

[@lbunnygordon1133]

Me too lol

[@WJH777]

I’m 346 and just got my first set of bongos!

[@lindareese4579]

Have fun and enjoy!!

[@auditrevor]

Most under rated comment ever

[@bandwagonDan]

Take it easy! 😅

[@dawn3547]

I’m 75 and play violin in a string ensemble ….picked up some bingo and I am hooked! Will watch more videos! Thank you!

[@smitamarawar]

I m 62,a music trainer 4 last 3decades,bt learning bongo n youtube z super amazing 4 me,getting sooo much clarity f rhythm

[@gertiepiffl9019]

great introduction to my new bongos. I am 82.

[@judehartikainen2838]

Probably the absolute best thing I have ever heard. Go you ♥️♥️♥️

[@LilyOfTheTower]

I love this!! Gertie you rock!!

[@WORLDDRUMCLUB]

Way to go! My mom is 88 and still teaching Hula, so there’s hope for each of us! Rock on!

[@luisb3426]

Don’t forget to trust in your Lord and Saviour before you it’s too late! God bless!

[@crypto2633]

man, im 8. show off

[@jeots962]

Hi, I’m 59 and got my first set of bongos and my first lesson was with you. I may not have the beat yet, but, I have something good to practice with, thanks for sharing your videos with us...🙏

[@nicolaellicott7082]

This is wonderful , I’m 53 and I’ve just bought some bongos . I just practised this lesson on my thighs as I have got to go pick the drums up . Great Easy beginner lesson. . Thankyou so much 🥰

[@ap7390]

im 110 years old and i just got my first pair of bongos!

[@lol-wt8cu]

lol ok

[@joshuaj.aguero2225]

I’m 💀🪦

[@suecarpenter4647]

I was 64 when I got my bongos. They are so heavy! I'm on the lookout for a stand. I just got a djembe last week and it has a great sound!

[@DonDonP1]

Hello. I'm 34 years old and I recieved last afternoon what I have bought at Amazon: Remo's Skyndeep Pre-turned Bongo Drum. I'm loving it. Thank you for sharing.

[@sarojaband4664]

Love your past work with Yanni. Great lesson! Just bought my 3-yr old nephew a set of bongos. We'll be watching your lessons together! Subscribed.

[@samroyproductions3476]

Has he worked with yanni

[@andreasoul1]

Really great video and teaching style. Helping getting started with the bongos. I struggle to get the repetition, but I see that practicing slowly helps. A visual representation of the rhythm might help, but this is already very good to be honest. Thanks!

[@WORLDDRUMCLUB]

Thank you. It’s my pleasure.

[@paidiy2441]

You have an amazing way of teaching. Relaxed and flow thank you so much for your teachings as I find your technique & teaching so much easier to contact then other bongo videos iv seen.

[@WORLDDRUMCLUB]

Thank you!

[@Lexa-Richards]

Same here, I'm just about 47 (😉) and just got my first set of bongos. Thoroughly enjoying the lessons. I have a little experience with a normal drum kit so I have ( I hope 😂) the rhythm there. Great lessons, thank you. 😬 👍🏼

[@chriscrichton98]

SOUNDS GOOD ! I WILL TRY IT TOMORROW . I AM A FIRM BELIEVER YOUR BEST BEATS ARE YOUR SIMPLE BEATS !

[@WORLDDRUMCLUB]

Yes - Simple is good.

[@humbertovalenzuela9204]

Looking forward to learning how to play my Bongos. I kind of have an idea about percussion rhythm as I used to play a drum set. Live in an apartment so no drum set.

[@vamosig]

Great! Thank you for your good practising bongo lessons. Good understandable and easy to learn! :)

[@enerzise3161]

Just picked up a set for 12 dollars at a thrift store January 3, 2022. They were loose between the drums, but I found a set of butterfly bolts inside and now they feel like new. Looks exactly like the LeSage Bongos Drums 7 in and 8 in Natural Bongo Set on Amazon for 55 dollars. They look like they were not used much at all, so I have to get a tuning key and see if I can learn the basics.

[@josuerivera7366]

I have been trying my bongos since I was 7 and I love it.😍😍😘😊

[@litzievirginia]

I love this. You are the best. I love your calm and the way you teach. 👍🏼❤🎼

[@WORLDDRUMCLUB]

litzievirginia Thank you so much. That’s very nice of you to say.

[@bongoscongasantiquecashreg4544]

I remember doing this rhythm on bongos in elementary school with my music teacher good memories & for one thing never get De Rosa bongos the ones with lugs as top tuning vintage style bad for got them due to that I used them at elementary school plus my friend JK used them & told me to get them yeah I did but once I got advanced those bongos hurt my hands just horrible plus tuning them with that key was horrible would not stay tuned that well so donated them to my local Deseret Industries thrift store for someone else to enjoy than was into LP Aspire bongos thank goodness they didn't kill my hands plus made me progress better when learning from you Kalani before on youtube plus glad my hands felt better than those pesty De Rosa bongos caused with the lugs just killing my hands while trying to play them correctly! Now play on LP Giovanni galaxy bongos best yet!!!

[@wendyboyd2355]

Love this Get to practice Congos and the bongos.

[@enricakupper245]

Just bought bongos for sons bday.. using ur video thanks a lot

[@augiedelharo1321]

Thank you 🙏🏻 very much for your awesome lessons and how to create your own melodies with my new new set of Congas and Bongó Drums 🪘

[@WORLDDRUMCLUB]

My pleasure

[@vortexspinner4470]

Fantastic video, tutorial. Just tunin up me Bongos!

[@LadyMngwa]

Great video for beginners, thanks

[@xalaticostello1838]

Wow I just got my bongos for my 68th birthday present yesterday 1st of June👏👏👏

[@sharonschall9226]

I wanna loop to learn while I'm still alive and well in mid 6th decade!

[@kevintaylor6015]

I’m 61 and just got my first bongos!!!

[@ElizabethRebolledoLizReb]

This is an amazing video it takes me a little because I never really paid attention in music and Art class but I can still sorta sing and I paint. I

[@ZsoltGulacsi]

I am going to buy a bongo today. I am very exciting :-) These videos are fantastic :-)

[@Lua-ju7cd]

Looove it. Bongo begginer from Brasil! 22yrs

[@StarmenRock]

Hey lua, where did you buy yours and how much did they cost? Im trying to get some but here in Rio things are crazy.

[@MDMT]

Great stuff- too much fun! Thanks!!

[@DieterLo1]

Thanks! Started few days ago with learning Bongos with 68. Greetings from Germany!

[@jackvader107]

Bloody brilliant!

[@geevan10]

Hi Iam Prasad from India..great lessons for beginners.please keep posting

[@pbenson56fran]

I learned another point on the term ghost or touch. Thank you

[@garyapeterson6949]

I'm definitely signing up with you!!

[@guyanamonkey999]

Just turned 150 and I heard the word bongo and I couldn’t be more excited!

[@terrystrong9787]

I’m 75 and I love this video I’ll need to watch this about 20 more times to get the hang of it First I need to buy some bongos on Amazon

[@wendyboyd2355]

Trying to add the Congos into our music list for our band

[@ellamurray3099]

this was really helpful! thanks!

[@magpercussion3005]

You guys make it look so easy!

[@ap7390]

cuz it is lmao... its bongos.. not guitar

[@IanNorman-uu7jx]

It's practical and simple.With some of these beats, they can be incorporated in more simple pop or rock.

[@Alexander_0623]

Thanks for the cool lesson.

[@STRANGERINMOSCOW1]

I need bongos! Buying them right now!

[@melaniesmith9347]

When I first got my bongos I looked at this and thought it was not for me , but after trying other videos I began using this daily and thought it really was right for me

[@WORLDDRUMCLUB]

Awesome! Thanks for commenting.

[@gem6880]

your the great teacher for my first bongos.

[@donbaird3826]

63 and first bongo set .djembe drum is my favorite.

[@2jammys]

Bestes video, danke schön. Thank you

[@prototek]

Amazing video, mate! Firstly, what brand + model bongos are you using and are the skins stock?

[@simonelwell6989]

prototek tycoon

[@amedb5300]

Love this video

[@SkinnyNinja420]

I am timeless and eternal. Throughout time and space I have aquired an infinte amount of my first Bongos. - Gozer

[@andreaskuhn8885]

love it!! thank you for making these tutorials :)

[@alicekempten7091]

I really like it. I hope it would follow many Videos. I am a beginner and its really cool. Thx

[@bensmith2692]

Thank you!

[@sharoncarthy3764]

Ooooo, bongos!! I'm turning 75 this month, and I'm buying my first set for my birthday!

[@robm6009]

This man is the rhythm 🎵 Jedi

[@olowasegun6829]

Your bongo sound good I like the tone of each head

[@lesleyvalencia6222]

This is fun thank you

[@shelby2118]

Thank you so much 😊

[@pavani.chakali6773]

Very nice explanation, brother, tq

[@Sci-Fi_Fan296]

Oh my goodness! I'm so glad to have come across this video and channel! Wow! So excited to learn how to play the bongos! Thanks for this lesson and information! :)

[@WORLDDRUMCLUB]

You’re very welcome

[@atatonamontenegro7182]

hi, can you explain how we can use the metronome?...thank you so much good video...

[@travislambert1973]

You said that the bongo drums are not very loud, would they be perfect to practice in an apt. building? Nice video, thanks!

[@WORLDDRUMCLUB]

They would be better than a larger drum, such as a conga or djembe. Still can be loud depending on how you play. Try covering with a t-shirt for practice to reduce volume.

[@surlasathibabu6781]

Very nice explained

[@sarant4901]

O really fantastic teaching

[@Francisco50771]

Thanks so much for this lesson. God bless you 😃

[@musicpalak2041]

Your teaching way is to good sir😊

[@kraabell]

Great video! Thanks!

[@fredym97]

Dammmn! I didn’t know mr clean was a teacher

[@migueloviedo8249]

You are one of the best on you tub

[@lestrum]

Can this lesson be applied to a Cajon type bongo that Meinl makes?

[@chikkupdpm6396]

Hello sir... im from india Please suggest best triple congo on low price... Refer Best 5pice Drum set for kids/ student/ any others...

[@user-nr5cc7th3y]

You are really awesome😊

[@eliaskingkong3353]

Thanks so much

[@prikelywombat2171]

Mate you really helped my little bro

[@WORLDDRUMCLUB]

Great. Glad to be of help.

[@sgm2981]

well years back i learnt basics of playing bongo and congo but thereafter never touched it. i want to learn again. i am from india and where can i get good quality bongo and congo. Would like to learn watching your videos. thanks

[@GelGreene-fs9gl]

They're "congas", NOT congo! Congo, known as "The Democratic Republic of Congo" or simply "The Congo" is the central African country, that was formerly known as "Zaire". It is definitely not a percussion instrument.

[@aarshibhatnagar]

Good job😊😁

[@omri3753]

Hello Kalani! First of all great videos, I've been watching them a while and I found them really helpful so thank you! I have bongos and I'm playing them like you do but sometimes after a session, or a jam my fingers are hurt. Is it ok? Or what can I do to ease the pain because if I playing them little bit softer I can barely hear the sound. I'd like to your help or anyone else. Thank you.

[@WORLDDRUMCLUB]

Use a mic if playing in a band. Warm up before playing. Stop if you experience pain. Ice to reduce swelling and increase circulation (alternate with heat).

[@b.s9625]

Super.. God bless you

[@mrunmaidabholkar8938]

This was a good video. Thank you sir. 💯

[@onebeatmusic3301]

Are bongos usually pitched or unpitched percussion instruments?

[@DrRhyhm]

unpiched it only matters how far in pitch they are from eachother, octave is a standard, could be fifth or fourth

[@Tonster114]

Thank you

[@christophertsiliacos8958]

1:15 That's where the expression, "He's as tight as the skins on my bongo drums" comes from. 😊

[@srinwantidhar4280]

Good video on bongo

[@danelogan1532]

Can I play these with arthritis? I just got it. I am a guitar player of over 30 years and I want to play bongos now

[@daveedgrumski3842]

Dane Logan wheres your arthritis

[@earlwilliams8101]

Thanks

[@jeanettecarnell8933]

6o,never to old to learn!

[@cocopops4974]

How do you tune the drums

[@sudhaskarssr261]

Hello sir, I can't see any other lessons about bongo drums, is there any other lessons here? Please let me know!!

[@mahboobbhatti4053]

Fj

[@TealTactics]

Nice video, very informative

[@TreeLynnT]

Ty

[@janosdertrompeter998]

Thx!

[@susant.thomas9758]

Thankyou

[@LarryShone]

Hi, what would you recommend as a good beginner set of bongos?

[@samroyproductions3476]

Get anything which is cheap that will be enough

[@sonjaschnietz]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@bearhustler]

Just got my first bongos today