I recently started playing the bongos in a band...after a few weeks of
banging on drums my hands have started to hurt and I'm feeling
occasional pains while playing.

I'd like suggestions on what I can do, to continue playing the bongos
but to prevent/avoid the pain.  I'd like to hear what other Bongo and
percussion players have tried, ie. ice after playing, using mic'd
drums, softer drum skins...Any comments in general that can be found
on this subject would be appreciated.

If you can find any info on Domingo Ortiz from Widespread Panic and
what his methods are that would be great as well...

Thanks!

You could try some tylenol. If you get some wrists braces they may
work. You can try some icy hot.

Better stop playing bongos.

The pain is telling you that it's not a good idea.

It would be interesting to find out if bongo players often end up with problems.

Hi Joe,

There is a dutch "percussion orchestra" that has a site on the web
where you can ask questions as well. So perhaps you can ask Joshua
(his emailadress is on the site as well) how he dealt with this isue?

http://www.artinrhythm.com/share_your_story.pl?site_categorienr=4

Anne-Marie

Drill a small hole in a rubber ball(superballs work well)and glue a
foot or so of dowling in it,makes a great drumstick,but not as noisy
as a wooden stick.

One thing that might help is taping your hands while playing.  The
drummer in the band Guster plays his whole kit (cymbals included) with
his hands, and tapes them before each show.  It might take away some
mobility and sound quality though.  Also, you might want to have
somebody look at your technique.  You may be hitting the metal rim of
the drum and not getting a clean hit on the head.  Finally, you may
just be overplaying.  If you hit the drums correctly with a good sharp
motion, you can get a very good sound without having to wail on them.

Is it a surface pain or internal pain?  If it's surface, I don't have
much of a suggestion.  If it's internal, then you might do well with
the Flextend gloves at www.flextend.com.  They strengthen all extensor
muscles from hand to elbow (the muscles on the backside of these
areas).  These are absolutely key to remaining pain free.  They are
literally the fix for carpal tunnel and similar pain/numbness problems
from hand to elbow.

If you are experiencing the amount of pain that is seems like, you
definately are not playing correctly.  Do you have a teacher that you
can discuss this with?  Are you self taught?  I would suggest getting
a good video on playing technique, and perhaps a book that you can
work out of.

You should be able to find both at http://www.steveweissmusic.com

Hi there,
The reality is hand pain is caused by improper technique.  People
telling you to take pain killers or stop playing the drums are totally
ignorant about hand drumming.  Find a local teacher who can assist you
with learning technique, your hands will thank you.  There are some
brilliant bongo players out there still cooking at age 80 and above. 
You can finds out TONS more useful info at my website
www.bongomania.com and on the Yahoo group "thebongogroup".  But there
is no subsitute for learning proper technique from a teacher "live and
in person".  Contact me through my site, or through thebongogroup on
Yahoo, and I'll try to hook you up with somebody in your area. Good
luck!