Hi, as my band ventures into new musical areas, I have been encouraged to increase my skills (lack of) in hand percussion, more specifically congas and bongos.
Are there any videos or online resources that are really good/essential for the beginner hand percussionist?
When I was in college, I worked out of the book by Birger Sulsbruck (sorry, the title escapes me at the moment - haven't had my morning cup of coffee yet). It was a good introductory text, IIRC. There was also a video companion to the book, but I never worked with it, so I can't comment on it directly.
PS I plan on taking lessons, but I would like a small amount of knowledge before I begin. Thanks
At the risk of answering a question that wasn't asked: I know what you're saying, but I wouldn't worry about it. A good teacher should be able to handle a "square one" beginner, and going to the teacher straight off will help prevent you developing any bad habits on your own, always a potential risk with self-instruction. (That is also a potential risk if the teacher teaches bad habits, but that's another discussion for another time...)
IMHO (IMHO, IMHO, IMHO, IMHO), if you're at the initial stage where you're learning to get a sound out of the instruments (congas, bongos, especially), a one-on-one lesson would be more valuable than a book or video - even one lesson.
