Mel Bay The Bongo Book

Here's an entire book devoted to the all too often overlooked Latin instrument, the bongo drums. Trevor Salloum guides you on an inspired informative, and educational musical journey; offering many valuable insights of playing this instrument as well as revealing its colorful history. This text features jazz, rock, Danzon, Mozambique, and bomba patterns with fills, exercises, and performance techniques to get you going in these styles. Maintenance, characteristic rhythmic patterns, and important artists in the evolution of bongo technique are also covered in depth. The companion CD features recordings of the rhythm patterns discussed in the book.
Customer Review: Bongo Book
Serves its purpose well. It is the thinnist book I've ever seen, but hey it's about music. WHat more can you say. It isn't really worth the money. Get the CDs over this I recommend videos over both.
Customer Review: Not For Beginners!
The item description doesn't say that this book is for beginners. But based on the reviews I read it seemed like a good book for beginners. That was a horrific assumption. I don't blame the publisher for this, I blame other reviewers who lead readers to believe this is a good book for beginners. From the beginning this book uses all kinds of terminology that I've never heard of before (and I have played some keyboard, drums and guitar). Which leads me to wonder who this book is for because, in my opinion, anyone who can understand the terminology probably has no use for such a book. I do fault the publisher for the terribly exposed, grainy photographs. I also fault the publisher for allowing several interviews with bongo players which, in my opinion, do not belong in a book like this. The whole book just feels cheap as if it was quickly thrown together. As an absolute beginner what I would have liked to see is a more detailed explanation of technique along with photos (this book has a few photos, but most of them look the same, and the photos do not correlate with the techniques described in the text). I would also have liked to see more description of how to read the notation used in the book. And while I understand musical timing due to my previous experience an absolute beginner will have no clue as to what tempo the notes should be played, this is not described anywhere in the book. This is a very poorly executed and frustrating book about bongos. It borders on useless for a true beginner. If you are a beginning bongo player do not buy this book it will not help you learn to play the bongos and will give you nothing but frustration. I have no idea how a book like this ever made it to print.

For many years now, the list of top wedding songs selected by the bride and groom have included some of the most outlandish, ill-fitting and simply awful songs to ever grace the radio waves.

There seems to be an unwritten rule that certain songs must make the list of wedding songs played by a DJ or band. The "Chicken Dance" and "Macarena" immediately come to mind. Yes, the upside is that they are easy songs to get anyone dancing and there is absolutely no skill involved.

The list of top wedding songs from the last few years includes some real stinkers. I'm sure you've heard a few at a wedding reception.

Maybe it was a "one hit wonder" from thirty years ago, or perhaps it was a suggestive rap song where the bride and groom were rubbing up and down each other in a motion that was a little embarrasing to some.

The choice of music at your wedding is an area that requires careful thought, because all the wedding planning can go out the door when inappropriate or tacky songs are played.

But is it really necessary to do these? Break from the trend and just say "No" to line dancing or any dance that requires wriggling a butt like a piece of poultry.

Let your wedding planner be a voice of reason when making the list of wedding songs to give to the DJ or band. What might seem funny and unique now may be a source of embarrassment later.

Do you really want the videographer catching you dancing to a head banging song? Don't give in to the temptation to go with these type of popular wedding songs. Be adventurous, yet at the same time use some common sense.

Grandpa can't break dance so why not give him a slow waltz to show off his talents.

AC/DC's "She Shook Me" is a great song for a party, but it may not go over so well on the list of wedding songs you want played at the reception. Or at least not until after the older or more conservative members of the reception have adjourned for the night.

Yes it is your wedding, but a little care in choosing your own top wedding songs can go a long way in making the day a wonderful affair for all.

Melinda Barton is an Internationally recognized wedding planner and author of the book Wedding Planning Secrets. She has given several TV and radio appearances and is passionate about helping everyone succeed in their desire to have the best wedding through simple and easy to use wedding planning secrets.

dance music 2007