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  1. Jerry González, "Conga Drumming & Afro-Caribbean Rhythms," Alchemy Pictures (1992).

    2. The production of this video is pretty rough and González's presentation appears to be pretty much unscripted. Having said that, I have definitely learned more from this video than any of the others I have. I have rewound and replayed some sections so much that I had to make a working copy so that I wouldn't wear out the original. González teaches by example rather than through words. The video and audio quality are adequate.
     
  2. Jerry González, "Conga Mania-In the Tradition," Alchemy Pictures (1994).

    3. I like this video almost as much as González's first video. This one is more oriented towards ensemble performances than basic instruction. The performance of Puerto Rican rhythms bomba, plena and oriza are unusual. The three congueros are González, Milton Cardona, and Richie Flores. The performance sections are broken up by González's presentations of the oral history of drumming. At first I didn't like these interludes, but I have come to see them as an integral part of the lesson. There is a brief but useful discussion of hand exercises. The production is a little better than the first video.
     
  3. Giovanni Hidalgo, "Conga Virtuoso," DCI Music Video (1995).

    4. This is a well-produced and entertaining bilingual video. Hidalgo's presentation is clear and organized. He presents traditional as well as modernized versions of some Cuban and Puerto Rican rhythms. His rapid-fire technique is so incredible that even in slow motion I can't tell what he is doing sometimes. The performance segments include Jose Luis "Changuito" Quintana, Ray Romero, and other great musicians. You get a real sense of Hidalgo's appreciation for Changuito as teacher and friend.
     
  4. José Luis "Changuito" Quintana and Giovanni Hidalgo, "Conga Masters Duets," DCI Music Video (1995).

    5. Not really for instructional use, but some really great performances.
     
  5. Birger Sulsbrück, "Latin-American Percussion," Edition Wilhelm Hansen, Copenhagen (1988).

    6. Methodical overview of many Cuban instruments and rhythms. Includes a clear introduction to the clave and its function. This is a good companion to Sulsbrück's book. The image of a Danish percussionist passionately discussing Cuban rhythms is almost worth the price!
     
  6. Jorge Bermudez and a bunch of folks from Dancing Hands Music, "Conga Drumming-A Beginner's Video Guide," Dancing Hands Music (1996).

    7. This one is brand new and I just got it. It is a companion to the Dworsky and Sansby book. The instruction is less intense than most other videos. There is a friendly non-threatening feeling throughout and a few funny bits. The sound is not quite as good as I would have liked, but it is adequate.
     
  7. Richie Gajate Garcia, "Adventures in Rhythm-Close-Up on Congas, Vol. 1," LP Music Group (1992).

    8. This was my first video. I learned to play basic strokes and tumbao from it. Unfortunately there is too much of Garcia playing a room full of LP percussion instruments. This might be useful for someone who wants to play like a one person rhythm section. I prefer the sound of a full ensemble.
     
  8. Richie Gajate Garcia, "Adventures in Rhythm-Close-Up on Bongos and Timbales, Vol. 2," LP Music Group (1993).

    9.  
  9. Alex Acuña, "Drums and Percussion," Music Source International (1989).

    10. Contains a brief but intense section on conga drumming. Doesn't contain too many details.
     
  10. Rolando Soto, "Conga for Beginners," Music Video Products (1991).

    11. I don't have it and I haven't seen it.
     
  11. Rolando Soto, "Advanced Conga," Music Video Products (1991).

    12. I learned a couple of tumbao variations from this video. Unfortunately the sound quality is poor. I exchanged my original video and the replacement had the same problem.
     
  12. Rumba Workshop, Caribbean Music and Dance.

    13. This is a compilation of video segments from a Rumba workshop in Cuba. It includes performances by Los Muñequitos de Matanzas. The audio and video are understandably sub-par. As far as I know there is nothing else like it available.
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