Play Congas Now: The Basics & Beyond (Spanish, English Language Edition), Book & Online Audio (Spanish Edition)

This is the book if you want to learn to play congas. The author takes you step by step through proper playing position, proper hand strike technique and provides CD audio of how you should sound. The suggested pratcice etudes are very helpful and overall the package rocks, including sections on using conga with the drum set, in funk and R&B settings. Feel confident when you order this manual and 2-CD set. You will be satisfied.

I learned how to play congas 8 years ago with this book...Now I am learning again. I bought this book and it's exactly as I remember it. With the CD, you can learn a lot and play along with the lessons.

The books are somewhat helpful but as a new player to the bongos/congas, I really wanted the DVD's. I tried on two different dvd players and my PlayStation 4 and the discs cannot be read. Sucks.

Good

If you want to learn how to play tumbadoras (congas) this is the book (and audio CD's) to get you started.

Fantastic resource.

This book is fairly inspirational, and includes a lot of good information. But it's not for the ultra-beginner. You should at least watch a video or take one lesson before you dive in here. For example, if you don't know what all of the individual slapping/tapping/muffling techniques SHOULD sound like, you won't be able to tell if you're doing anything correctly or not.

I found this book to be pretty much pure rhythm exercises... if you already have rhythm, you don't need to buy it, just play the Congas.I will admit the teaching style is good (if the student does not already have rhythm!) but I always listen to the audio sample first, and I ended up skipping through the whole thing until about track 34... once you do that, yeah the rhythms are good but it's nothing you can't do with your own imagination.:(

This is by far the best introductory and intermediate conga book around, because:1. It covers the very basics but also takes you through a huge variety of traditional Cuban dance rhythms and contemporary grooves that can be used with rock and funk: something for everyone including the incentive of knowing you will soon be playing some pretty cool stuff2. There is a CD that covers lessons and grooves, including sections of some popular songs3. There is a second CD with a variety of good play-along tracks for practice4. The author is a good teacher: he is an accomplished player and his experience of teaching shows in his method.5. Crucially, the author has a very easy delivery and sounds keen, so his voice alone inspires you to listen (several music tutor authors sound so dull and as if they don't want to be there: not this guy - it's like he's in the room with you).The fact that there is no DVD is a minor issue. Basic strokes are illustrated and ultimately they are quite simple: it just takes practice.Lastly, don't let it come as a shock that his conga strokes do sound slightly strange. Even the muted slaps sound "fruity" or "woody" with alot of the bass of an open slap. I did wonder if I was doing something wrong at first, but listening to other conga recordings, it's clear its just the way they recorded.