How to Play the Bongo, Part One

The bongo drum has a rich history, and holds a crucial role in Afro-Cuban music. Percussion master Bobby Sanabria tells you more about the instrument's origins, and demonstrates some drumming patterns for you.
Learn more at the Jazz Academy: academy.jazz.org
Bobby Sanabria - Bongos
Eric Suquet - Director
Bill Thomas - Director of Photography
Aaron Chandler - Sound Engineer
Richard Emery - Production Assistant
Seton Hawkins - Producer
Recorded July 17, 2013

[@1929able]

This gentleman is obviously a historian of Afro/Latin music. Thank you so much for the history.

[@rhythmfield]

Wise wealth of words from a seasoned master drummer, teacher, community builder and all-around hip cat: Bobby Sanabria. Thank you JALC Jazz Academy.

[@barbaragrace4446]

First bongos at age 60. Vintage Hondo. Very exciting. THANK YOU for this lesson and history.

[@stephen451]

First bongos at 72. LP Valje set. Am really enjoying learning. Let's jam! Thanks for the bongo history, Bobby!

[@bossboy191919]

Wow this feels like music classes with a real teacher, can't wait to learn everything about its history too!

[@BrianRussick]

Quality introduction to bongos; great teacher.

[@stenches_da_dragoncristal_635]

First bongos at 54! And yes the history was so very interesting! Thank you !

[@bongoscongasantiquecashreg4544]

Love my LP Giovanni galaxy bongos they are the best bongos I know of today! I used to when starting out LP Aspire bongos & they are wonderful quality not junk at all but sold them for someone else to enjoy since professional at bongos. I also have the LP Giovanni galaxy congas love them & yes my LP Aspire congas blend nicely with my galaxy congas crazy but I tuned them to blend so miss fussy over conga & bongo sound nailed the Aspire congas to blend in with my LP Giovanni galaxy congas so glad it worked! You play very well & learned from you in the past so thanks for your help then & now advanced to professional!

[@SKirkham1967A]

Thank you for the history on the Bongos. Much appreciated.

[@impulseproman]

Thank you so much for the history of this instrument

[@johndobbins1105]

This guy is awesome 👏🏻

[@pirihern9329]

Muchas gracias por la clase. I'm trying to expand my playing ability on the bongos . it's slow going pero eventually I'll get .saludos a todos .que las pasen bien .

[@franciscolapuerta2404]

First bongos at 16. Now I am 63. Have 3 bongoses.Lp Fiberglass Bongos, Lp Matador Bongos and Pearl fiberglass Bongos.

[@hey0723]

!thanks a lot, I love ur lesson

[@fijimorgan]

So how do you play the basic pattern? Was hoping for a break down of what the hands are doing in order to learn proper technique.

[@budafool3333]

More Cowbell!

[@luissantos7402]

Just bought pair oof bongo I am trying to learn

[@zootchannel380]

good

[@uhoh007]

Great history...but I did not learn the martillo, LOL. It's OK it's not hard to find martillo lessons. I learned alot here.

[@hey0723]

Hi did the Cuban guy learn how to play the bongos? Or did they just play by feel?

[@samsonlim5278]

May I know How many inch is the bongo?

[@BlasJohnny]

Great my Brother

[@40elverdugo]

BX TITAN alias Edgar Cintron and luis b, learn brother ,

[@paolochilardi8672]

cool vid 👍the bongo played is Lp generation 2?

[@jovauri]

yes

[@nedgey]

Fck yeah

[@siembra_cooltura]

It's not a bad video but the title is a little misleading. Maybe something like The origins of the Bongo would fit.

[@vimaltaheem]

Please log on to KZbin and search bongos at your fingertips

[@nitero6064]

the tittle is about how to play and bongo not learning about history.

[@SayGeizi]

Sewnarine Sahaman he does idiot. watch the full video. clearly you won't ever play bongos right.

[@giulianomatelicani6427]

Too much talking!!

[@DanielPerez-vt5ez]

To become a good musician, you must first learn to listen to a professional talk and know the history first. Impatience will always hold you back from becoming great and also a better person.