Brandon Marger is a knowledgable, dedicated and passionate educator who has been teaching Afro-Latin drumming and percussion since 1991.


Brandon teaches the instruments, rhythms, musical genres and cultures of Cuba, Puerto Rico and Brazil. Besides focusing on these three major musical cultures, Brandon also teaches a variety of other rhythms and musics from throughout the west african diaspora in the Americas. Brandon’s curriculum includes both traditional folkloric music, and applications of folkloric instruments and rhythms to modern musics.

 

Learn to play Congas & Afro-Latin Percussion



Have you always wanted to be able to play congas & Afro-Latin percussion? Now you can learn how, at Estudio El Bohio in Hadley MA.


Brandon Marger is teaching private lessons in the authentic instruments and rhythms of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil and other great musical cultures in the Americas. The curriculum covers both traditional folkloric rhythms, and applications to to modern musical genres.


Brandon Marger has studied at the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba in La Habana, and at the Balé Folclórico da Bahia in Salvador, Brazil, as well as with master percussionists here in the New England area. Along with teaching for the past two decades he has been gigging with a wide variety of groups throughout the US and the Caribbean, and accompanying Afro-Latin dance classes. Brandon’s extensive experience as a performing musician is one of the cornerstones of his teaching.


Brandon Marger has been teaching Afro-Latin drumming and percussion since 1991 in both ensemble classes and private lessons. He has also taught special workshops at many of the region’s colleges. Brandon teaches students of all ability levels from people with no previous musical training to veteran musicians who are looking to learn something new.


Private lessons with Brandon Marger at Estudio El Bohio last for one hour, and cost $20 per  lesson. Payment can be made at the end of each lesson, and must be paid in cash only. Lessons canceled with less than 12 hours notice by telephone must be paid for in full.



To schedule a lesson contact Brandon Marger

 

Educational Programs - Workshops & Teaching Residencies



Besides teaching privately at Estudio El Bohio, Brandon Marger is also available for workshops and longer term teaching residencies. Brandon offers introductory workshops in Afro-Latin drumming and percussion as well as specialized ongoing ensemble classes. Presentations can also include lectures on the rhythms, instruments and musical cultures of Cuba, Brazil and/or Puerto Rico; and the profound effects of the west african diaspora on music throughout the Americas. Brandon can also work with existing ensembles (such as jazz bands) to integrate Afro-Latin rhythms and instruments and compositions into their repertoires.




For more information about Brandon Marger’s workshops, teaching residencies and educational programs click here.

 

Resources For Students


FAQs for new Students

If you are considering beginning to study Afro-Latin drumming and percussion, or if you have already scheduled your first lesson please read this collection of frequently asked questions for answers to many of your common questions. You will also find useful information that will help you to get the most out of your lessons.



FAQs about purchasing your first conga drum

If you are going to learn how to play conga drums, you will need to have at least one drum at home to practice what you learn in your lessons. This document provides answers to many of the questions frequently asked by new students about purchasing their first conga drum(s).



Learning to play Congas & Afro-Latin Percussion

This is some information about the general process I use to teach congas and afro-latin percussion, to help you understand a little of the method to my madness (or madness to my method) right from the start, and so you will have some idea of what is to come as you begin your study of this beautiful instrument, music and culture.



Listen To The Music

A central part of learning Afro-Latin music is active listening to the music. It is impossible to play a new type of music if you don’t know what that music is supposed to sound like and feel like. I often am asked by students “what music should I be listening to?” I never have a good specific answer to that question, because what students really should be listening to is a broad cross-section of Afro-Latin music. This guide will help you get started on your journey into the world of Afro-Latin music.



Technique and Exercises

Here is a copy of the handout for new students which explains basic conga drum technique, and the list of exercises used to develop that technique.



Syncopation Exercises

Here is a copy of the handout of a series of exercises to help students become familiar with some different ways that the beat is commonly subdivided, and to help students become comfortable with syncopated rhythms which fall on odd subdivisions of the beat.




Estudio El Bohio is Brandon Marger’s teaching and rehearsal studio in Hadley MA. The studio provides a cozy setting for private drum lessons, but is large enough for ensemble lessons or group rehearsals as well. The studio houses part of Brandon’s extensive inventory of drums and percussion instruments from Cuba, Brazil and Puerto Rico, as well as a vintage Fender Rhodes electric piano, and modest sound reinforcement and digital audio recording systems.



























Brandon Marger’s Estudio El Bohio is located at:


2 Highland Circle

Hadley MA 01035



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