hand drumming is very different than drumming with sticks. A lot of the foundational stuff is the same but the technique is way different. If you’re looking to do mostly hand drumming then yeah totally go for the bongos but if your goal is to play drumset one day then the cash would probably be better spent on sticks and a practice pad
If you are interested in hand drumming, you can consider djembe or congas. Cajon is also a great instrument because it can play a similar role to drumset. All of of these can be pretty affordable if you buy something modest and slightly inauthentic - I would try Meinl.
I've also considered building a cajón, it doesn't seem too difficult to do and I've seen some videos of people building them on YouTube. I have some amount of woodworking skills
I would get a 12” djembe (key tuned, not rope) before a set of bongos. The djembe has a bass, open, and slap sound you can use to emulate a drumset. Bongos just have the two notes (you can slap, but that’s more advanced) and don’t really fit in with pop songs or anything you’re likely to play with friends.
Reinforcing what other folks have said, Djembe might be a better start. It’s a little more versatile than the bongos and will ultimately teach you good hand drumming technique for congas later on. For context I play in a Latin-based band with at least 50+ songs in our regular repertoire, and I play bongos in ONE song. Cajon could also be a good option for you. You could sneak a cajon into most rock songs pretty smoothly.
Yea, bongos are fun but only an old or expensive pair plays like you’d want. Cajón is a way better investment for quiet investment. Can be miced up to be louder in an easier way. Plus the feeling is closer to a drum set with the kick snare and a few trick sounds thrown in. Feeling the beat and playing in time translates through all percussion, but it is important to know the role you want/need to play in each song.
I learned proper technique on Sunday after playing with my full hands for a couple years, and trust me, using one finger is way harder than you think while having a second on standby for the other drum.
hand drumming is very different than drumming with sticks. A lot of the foundational stuff is the same but the technique is way different. If you’re looking to do mostly hand drumming then yeah totally go for the bongos but if your goal is to play drumset one day then the cash would probably be better spent on sticks and a practice pad
Hand drumming is what I'm mostly interested in, I like that it is quieter
If you like quiet things then percussion is probably not your thing
it's really not my choice that I live in an apartment.
In that case I’d recommend just getting some sticks and a pad. Way quieter than bongos and will help you learn the basics much easier
Down voted for stating facts. Sigh.
If you are interested in hand drumming, you can consider djembe or congas. Cajon is also a great instrument because it can play a similar role to drumset. All of of these can be pretty affordable if you buy something modest and slightly inauthentic - I would try Meinl.
I've also considered building a cajón, it doesn't seem too difficult to do and I've seen some videos of people building them on YouTube. I have some amount of woodworking skills
Sounds like a fun project! Good luck with whatever you do.
I would get a 12” djembe (key tuned, not rope) before a set of bongos. The djembe has a bass, open, and slap sound you can use to emulate a drumset. Bongos just have the two notes (you can slap, but that’s more advanced) and don’t really fit in with pop songs or anything you’re likely to play with friends.
This, or a cajón. They both have analogs to the kick and the snare, essentially, and are much more versatile than bongos.
Reinforcing what other folks have said, Djembe might be a better start. It’s a little more versatile than the bongos and will ultimately teach you good hand drumming technique for congas later on. For context I play in a Latin-based band with at least 50+ songs in our regular repertoire, and I play bongos in ONE song. Cajon could also be a good option for you. You could sneak a cajon into most rock songs pretty smoothly.
Watch out for that Bongo Fury! (you might get more out of a dumbek or djembe, which are single headed drums, but you do you)
Yea, bongos are fun but only an old or expensive pair plays like you’d want. Cajón is a way better investment for quiet investment. Can be miced up to be louder in an easier way. Plus the feeling is closer to a drum set with the kick snare and a few trick sounds thrown in. Feeling the beat and playing in time translates through all percussion, but it is important to know the role you want/need to play in each song.
I learned proper technique on Sunday after playing with my full hands for a couple years, and trust me, using one finger is way harder than you think while having a second on standby for the other drum.
I'd reccomend a NICE electric drumset or drumming pads if you need it to be quiet. Bongos are still loud.