by mpags » Mon Dec 06, 2021 4:29 pm
This past Saturday I had my first experience playing bongó. The Bossa Bolero and Jazz project that I am a part of did a 5 song set and I sang and played bongó on 4 of them. It went pretty smoothly. I kept it simple, mainly just supporting the guitarist and the bassist. Dos Gardenias Para Ti was one of the songs and it can really just be played with a straight Martillo with a variation or 2 to keep it interesting.
Then our rock project played and a Santana medley was included. It was Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen and Oye Como Va. I go a little lost at one point in Gypsy Queen undoubtedly because I got caught up in the moment and tried to do too much. It was about 8 measures before I found my rhythm again. Oye Como Va is really martillo and variations, so that went fine.
Great fun! A crowd of about 100 at a Fundraiser for the Oaxaca Lending Library. It was a benefit concert. Got good feedback on the sound the bongó added!