How to Play Bongo Drums: Basic Martillo for Beginners!

Learn how to play the bongo drums in this video lesson. First-time hand drummers will practice the basic martillo rhythm and other beginner patterns and grooves.

Bongos (Spanish: bongó) are an Afro-Cuban percussion instrument consisting of a pair of small open bottomed drums of different sizes. In Spanish the larger drum is called the hembra (female) and the smaller the macho (male). Together with the conga or tumbadora, and to a lesser extent the batá drum, bongos are the most widespread Cuban hand drums, being commonly played in genres such as Cuban son, salsa and Afro-Cuban jazz.

Bongo drums produce relatively high-pitched sounds compared to conga drums, and should be held behind the knees with the larger drum on the right when right-handed. It is most often played by hand and is especially associated in Cuban music with a steady pattern or ostinato of eighth-notes known as the martillo or "hammer". They are traditionally played by striking the edge of the drumheads with the fingers and palms. The glissando used with bongó de monte is done by rubbing the third finger, supported by the thumb, across the head of the drum.

Bongo drummers are known as bongoseros.

Support Edgardo Cambon directly by sending a donation to:

Visit Edgardo's website and YouTube channel:

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

FOLLOW US

#dancepapi

[elizabethfarnsworth]

65 and have never played an instrument. Wanted bongos as a kid. Didn't happen. Covid depression has got me down. Better late than never. This is so fun. Boy am I feeling uncoordinated. Lol Thank you so much. A new adventure!

[tommysandovallegos]

Why would anyone give this a thumbs down?? This artist is giving gold away. Thank you very much. So much learned.

[johnfogel]

Please keep up the good work. You lessons for Conga have been a big help for me. I am only 76.

[unclemick-synths]

This is so great. I've been watching a bunch of beginner's videos and you're the first one to make this basic beat musical. Getting the basics right is so important.

[rumblefsh]

just purchased a set of bongos. Like many others, went off to find a helpful, clear, and complete guide for beginners. Yours is the best by a long way. Thank you for posting this! :)

[bennyarocho]

Absolutely the best bongo tutorial video I've seen!
Muchisimas gracias!

[geraldrushton]

Tremendous a real educaten, humour, warm driven, to the point, - you feel you know the man thanks papi!

[alekskukolj]

👏👏👏 #1 Best bongo instructional videos. The salsa app is great as well 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[GeoBeast]

I just bought my own bongos! I’m so excited to learn all this! Thank you for these videos 🙏

[hananshells]

Very nice papi. Following your bongo videos for learning the Bongos. Thank you and God Bless. ❤️

[budokaiboy]

I have been watching a ton of beginner Bongo videos and this is the best one that I've seen. Extremely well explained. Thank you!!!

[morganchilds]

This is super helpful. Thank you. I'm a drummer and I can hear what's going on, but it's good to know where to start with the actual technique. I just got a bongo so my little baby son can play with them on the floor, but I want to learn a bit so I'll be checking out your channel. I've been lucky to see the real son in Cuba... a very authentic-sounding old school band at the Hotel Villanueva in Havana. Beautiful singer who also played claves and maracas, in his mid 60s or so, an older pianist, bongosero, congeuro, two trumpets, upright bass. I was mesmerized by the bongosero... when they hit the descarga and he picked up the bell, his beat placement is etched in my mind. Very profound memory for me. Anyway, cheers.

[rjcrjc]

Been playing bongoes for many years. Make sure u watch and take care of your hands and fingers

[danielmadero]

MIL GRACIAS! Great video! Acabo de comprar un bongó y es el mejor video que he encontrado!

[jordiegundersen]

Thank you. I have just purchased the Salsa Rhythm app to have fun during lockdown and to keep check on my timing..

[TheDradge]

Excellent video! Makes me want to go buy some bongos!

[ScullRoland]

Thank you for this great introduction to my new instrument! 🙂

[firestuff]

I live in Puerto Vallarta and just came into the possession of some nice LP bongos and to my surprise found you here! I have danced to the sounds of Candela for thirty years, and what a treat to find your love of this music and offering these beautiful no bullshit lessons!! You are the real thing! Muchas gracias compa!!

[marktaylor]

A good instructional for beginner like me. Thanks.

[MikayFire]

I’m having a ball trying to follow along 🤪