These are the best percussion lessons on KZfaq! You are such a clear and encouraging teacher. Thank you!

Michael, I thought you might like to hear my story. So, a couple years ago, someone gave me a set of bongos, which sat around my house for a long time collecting dust. One day I found one of your videos, and slowly taught myself how to play them. I'm primarily a piano player, and learning the martillo rhythm got me interested in playing piano montunos, which in turn got me interested in Jazz. So, I started studying Jazz seriously with a Jazz studies professor at the local university, and ended up playing piano in a Salsa and Latin Jazz band directed by him, made up of some university students and some local professional musicians. We've been going for about a year now, and are starting to get real gigs. It's been a real life changing experience for me, being able to play this type of music with a band, and it's been amazing for the rhythmic aspect of my playing. Anyway, thank you. There was luck involved with happening to be in the right place at the right time for the band, but it probably would never have come to pass without watching this video and others like it.

Many people think like I used to, that playing a bongo was just to pretend that you are in the jungles of Africa beating a drum like a mad with no order. Then when you see the pentagram next to a bongo you realize this is something serious. I started loving the bongos when I first saw a bachata group performing in my town In the Dominican Republic, since then when I see performers like you I realize more and more that the road is long but full of satisfaction. There is no instrument so versatile and free than bongos. Thank you for your patient and repiques.

michael teacher.. i like latin music.. bongo.. is very good.. thank you so much..

I love your teaching style. I have learned so much from you, and I will continue to as long as you keep uploading these videos. Thank you kindly.

Michael Miranda is excellent showing how to play the bongo.

muchas gracias Michael, todos los dias aprendo un poco mas con tus tutoriales...saludos desde Parana, Argentina

I've been struggling to fit variations into the martillo without slipping out of the groove for months. I almost stopped watching this half way through as I thought - surely what I need to know is more difficult than this! But nope, this is exactly what I needed to know and the variations you suggest are so effective. Many thanks Michael

Michael, I am a senior and from my youth have always had an interest and love for Latin percussion and something to pound on. I have never had any formal training but the ability to hear a rhythm and duplicate it. Now, by way of you I am finding that there is a real technology, background and ethnic tradition to Latin music and the rhythms that are its soul. So, I have just bought a very good set of gear that sound like the real stuff I have been envying in Latin music and plan to go back to school and learn the correct basics; which is something you have inspired. I do have one other shortcoming. You always represent the rhythms you are teaching in their sheet music form, which I am sure would be very helpful in understanding and learning them but alas, I am a sheet music illiterate so it is Greek to me. Am I doomed? And thank you for the very beautiful body of research, teaching and work you have given us. Now, is your invitation for that Heineken still good? DBH

Dank je Michael. Erg leuke variaties. Ik ben pas net begonnen, en hou heel erg van de vrijheid in het bongo spelen. Jouw variaties geven me een mooie uitbreiding op mijn eigen brouwsels. :)

Michael thank you. You are the greatest teacher.

Once again you have done a masterful job of breaking down the mysteries, good job Bro.

hi i m french my brother play bongo very good and he tell me to practice with you'r video i try to understand all but thx to you i learn a lot thank you so much :) now let's practice more and more :D

Dear Michael, pleas excuse my bad english! I have nothing to do with music !!! Of course, I like to listen music, but I have no idee about anything. I am completely aphonus, I cannot feel the rithm... Another hand I think hiting something on a certain rithm, was the first instrument of the humans. For this reason I like simple drums. Just for fun, I buyed a toy bongo for the kids. And watching your vids, I managed somehow to play a whole bachata song with a beginer patern. This is realy NOTHING !!! But is so much for me. I am not able to do more, but it was a realy joy. THANK YOU !!!

Thank you you really helped me with my rhythms and variations I appreciate this very much

You´re the best "explainer"... Very nice guy and "humble" ( i mean, no ego)... Thanks a lot for sharing!

el mejor maestro en la web!! muchas gracias por compartir esto con todos. los de esos 8 dislikes ni tendran bongos.

Quite by accident I stumble upon your bongo video and think this a great tutorial. You do a great job as always giving a good detail explanation of how to execute the bongo variations and importantly how to return to the Martillo without losing the groove. Thank you Michael!

You're the best. You have. no idea how. much you've taught me. Thank you!

Hey Michael I thank you for the lessons I played percussion a few years ago,but lost some passion for it,but it is now starting to burn in my soul again. I found a great place to start again thanks.

dank je wel Michael . Duidelijk en erg leerzaam !

Thank you for the "slow breakdown". Your lesson is wonderful for a beginner like myself!!!

Michael de Miranda, I always come to your Channel when i really need to learn, You're so incredible as a teacher, God Bless you. Salutes from Venezuela.

Thank you Gevorg! The teaching and musician part is not difficult, but the filming, editing, lighting is something else..... I really focus on this, because it is not really my thing.... So thank you for your compliments!!

Thank you Michael...More more please!!!

Your videos are so great love your teaching so much

Thank you Michael for sharing this great talent that The Lord have giving you. .GOD bless you ...

saludos desde colombia, gracias maestro explica muy bien, espero no olvide los bongos y siga subiendo videos tan buenos como este... SALUDOS

Michael. This video is excelent. I'm learning to play bongo and this is exactly what I was needing. Now, I would like to ask you if you could do one with bongo variations for "bachata" style of music. Thanks again!

Hace rato esperaba algo como esto, que bien, gracias señor michael, esto me ayudara mucho

You are a great teacher and player Michael. Thank you!

Hey, Just today one of my friend Freddie gifted me this instrument..i didnt know about this before...this is cool i want to learn more n more..i saw your video, this is really good for all of us..thanks for sharing!

I am just starting playing los bongos, and it was very usefull your video, Thanks

Your welcome and I'm glad that my video helps a little bit!

小鼓帶出感人故事。Mic,it generous for you to share the tricks! You are a very nice guy rather than nice teacher. Best regards.

thank you. I love your videos, they are very helpful and educational. Thanks for sharing your skill and knowledge!

Gracias por todo, desde España! Very good!!!

Awesome!!!! As Always You're Great. Thank you, Michael

Excellent Michael! Good lesson, thanks!

Gracias por tus enseñanzas.Explica despacio y muy claro.

N.1 on percussions !

Thank you very much for this lesson! Very helpful!

Awesome tutorial. A must see for the beginner on Bongos.

grazie maestro michael... ogni tuo video è una lezione di percussioni molto accurata ed esplicativa.

Excelente video señor MIchael, excelente maestro, espero y siga subiendo muchos mas videos con este instrumento tan lindo como los bongos.. DIOS les bendiga.. Desde COLOMBIA!

Great job Michael, i enjoy your videos. You makebit look so easy! Until i try it for myself then i realize how much i have to learn! Keep up the good work and GOD bless!

Gracias señor miranda por esto en verdad fue esto una joya para mi.

Gracias Michael de todos eres el mejor enseñando,estoy muy conforme con el avance que he logrado poniendo todo el empeño en tus clases,ademas eres muy entretenido.

The best teacher!!!

Aunque no entienda nada de ingles , entendi perfecto!!! gracias a dios el idioma de la musica es universal jeje muy bueno y gracias!!! saludos desde Uruguay!!!

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

Hi Micheal, You are a Great bongo player ( percussionist ) and a very kind and wonderful teacher ! Thanks for the lesson. I will practice hard to improve my skills. I play guitar in the music band revelation77 on you tube . Soon I"ll be able to add some beautiful new bongo beats into our original music. Thanks again !

Michael, muchas gracias por compartir tu talento. Me fascinan las variaciones y lo bien que impartes la clase. Eres un excelente y divertido maestro. Please continue recording videos!

The BOSS!

Thank you so much for this wonderful resource. It is very easy to follow and very well explained. You are an excellent teacher.

Michael terminé el primer vídeo. De nuevo te doy las gracias. De veras la combinación instrucción junto con la pagina fe música ayuda muchísimo!

Hola Michael, me encantan las variaciones que haces y el ritmo que le das a esa pista, espero que sigas colgando videos con los Bongos, porque de los que he visto me identifico más con tu estilo.Un saludo Maestro.

Thank you for your lessons! They help me to start playing.

Great lesson. Great idea putting the music sheet next to your lesson it helps me a lot

Michael... maestro...

Thank you Michael.. video was very helpful

That Tu-ka trick really opened a lot of options for my playing. thanks a lot!100% usefull!! Nice taecher, everything slowly played and explained!! Thanks again!keep the good work!

Awesome lesson! Very useful . Thanks!

yes, nice one. thank you

Excelente video ! ha sido de mucha ayuda tus videos ya que estoy empezando a tocar el bongo .Gracias por tomarte el tiempo para hacer un video bien explicado antes que un video corto y rapido. Saludos desde Chile!.

Thank you for the reply and the English is understandable. Gracias por la respuesta y el Inglés es comprensible. (Google translate también)

hello Miranda Just want to wish you a nice christmas and at the same time thank you for a good lesson in bongo drumming Leif from the dark and cold Sweden

Wonderfully expressive hands

Your welcome! Enjoy it!

Maestro Miranda, mil gracias por compartirnos sus conocimientos. Lastimosamente, acá en Medellín, Colombia, los músicos, sobre todo los percusionistas, son bastante egoístas y no comparten lo que saben si no se les paga altas sumas de dinero. Sólo una sugerencia: sería muy didáctico que pusiera sobre la partitura cómo van los golpes de la clave en cada variación, para uno saber dónde meterlas en una canción. Saludos.

Thanks Michael ! You are great musician & teacher... All your videos high class - filming, editing, lighting, etc...

Thank you very much! I'm glad you enjoyed it!!

mil gracias! This is precisely what I was looking for, I appreciate the breakdown.

El mejor profe!

Thank you!! And of course more video's are coming!

Great video! Thanks!

Very nice video, well explained. Thanks for sharing.God Bless.

That sounds good! I am glad my video's help you finding the passion for percussion again! Good luck!

Excellent video, thanks for sharing. I am using a bongo cajón and can't quite get the tonal range that you can, but I'll keep working on it. Cheers!

A great video... this is going to be a massive help for me thanks!

Your welcome! And I hope this video is a good starting point to make more variations! Good luck!

Thanks Michael - very useful

Marvelous

brilliant guy

Your welcome! Have fun with it!!

Excelentes lecciones de percusión, soy aficionado al bongo,sería importante que las tradujeran al español. Gracias. Iván B.

Muchas gracias! Saludos!

Thank you!!

Thanks you. You're awesome

This dude is amazing!

Thank you! I still don't have direct plans to make a DVD, but if a lot of people ask for it, I will start making one.

Felicidades, profesor magnifico, explicaciones simples, genial Michael. Continua con los videos ya que son de utilidad. Gracias.

gracias michael ! :)

Thank you very much!!

Thank you very much

Hell Yeah! Michael you kick ass! :) I just bought congos, and should have them by tomorrow. I can't wait to get drumming! :D

Muchas gracias!! Saludos desde Rotterdam, Hollanda.

thanks from france! ;)

Gracias!!

Thank you! Very helpful.