Nan Mercader ~ World Percussion vol.3: Bongos ~ DVD-PAL

Mercader brings his usual clarity and thoroughness to the explanations and demonstrations he provides here of technique and rhythms for these popular world music percussion instruments. On this third volume, he addresses the Bongos, and touches on the cowbell. He covers playing positions, tuning, hand techniques, production of the various possible sounds, technical and rhythmic exercises, and a bit of history. He works through the Afro-Latin rhythms of Bomba, Merengue, Afro, Bembe, and Swing; then ventures into examples of how the Bongos can be used in Flamenco, Rumba, Samba, Rock, and other popular styles; and finally for the cowbell Ritma Base, Campaneo, Cascareo, Mozambique, and A Caballo. Each rhythm is demonstrated solo with a click-track, then with ensemble, and finally there is a "music-minus-one" section for you to practice/play along. A substantial booklet is also included with notation of all rhythms and their ornamentation, with other texts and illustrations. The DVD is in PAL format and can be viewed on multi-format DVD players and most personal computers. 94 minutes, in Spanish, Catalan, English, French, and Italian.