Product Review

Learning to play the bongos has never been easier than with this new DVD from Alan Dworsky, the award-winning author of "Conga Drumming" and "How to Play Djembe." Designed for the first-time hand drummer, this video teaches fun, funky grooves that fit with all kinds of music. The instruction is clear and step-by-step, with no boring exercises. Each pattern is taught with overhead and side views, and slow motion is used to help make sure every detail is clear. The techniques used in this non-traditional approach are easy to learn and easy on the hands. Each lesson has a matching play-along track to practice with. The DVD comes with a PDF file with charts of all the patterns, and there's a section on the video explaining how to read the charts. Also included are tips on tuning and how to hold the bongos, explanations of basic rhythmic concepts, and examples of how to use the grooves to play along with recorded music or jam with friends.