a set of bongos

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a set of bongos" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a collection or group of bongo drums, often in a musical context. Example: "He played a lively rhythm on a set of bongos during the performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

As it rolls from hall to hall, this party seems oddly like Mr. Reich's "Drumming," which begins with a set of bongos and moves first to marimbas, then to glockenspiels, before using all three.

The New York Times - Arts

On the couch nearby, Chris, a sleepy-eyed man with a Nordic complexion and a blond buzz cut, plays a set of bongos, stopping every so often to clap appreciatively as the young girl flits and spins.

The New York Times - Magazine

Eddie Jackson, 64, known as the "musical mayor of Staten Island," whipped his fingers along a set of bongos, and John Dunne, a k a J. D., 59, who has been playing the drums since he was 11, effortlessly tapped out a clever rhythm.

The New York Times

"One time," he recalled of Mr. Marley, "Bob came in around 2 in the morning and told me, 'Go wake Scratch.' Then he sat on a stool with his guitar and started singing this new song: 'There's a natural mystic blowing through the air....'... " Mr. Burnett, still half asleep, patted out the rhythm on a set of bongos.

The New York Times

Ah, the painting: a large acrylic of a dark-skinned man -- I've always imagined him to be Haitian or Jamaican -- knees apart, palms calloused, eyes closed in percussive bliss, drumming on a set of bongos that seem to glow internally, the painting's sole source of light.

Huffington Post

When they had everything properly arranged and lit Aran picked up an acoustic guitar, Kelly picked up a flute, Fred Thomas (who plays in Saturday Looks Good to Me, which Kelly used to sing for) picked up a set of bongos and a djembe, and the thirty or so representatives of Ann Arbors sizable indie rocker, weirdo artsy crust punk, and hardcore witchcraft scenes sat in a semicircle around them. .

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

When I was a kid, all I wanted was a set of bongo drums.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Each transformation mask uses a different instrument: Deku Link plays a multi-horn instrument called the "Deku Pipes", Goron Link plays a set of bongo drums tied around his waist, and Zora Link plays a guitar made from a large fish skeleton.

Wikipedia

More information is at www.us.playstation.com/games.; RHYTHM MACHINE -- If wrapping a video game controller in a death grip is not your idea of fun, Nintendo (www.nintendo.com) offers a different path to play one of its newest games: a set of plastic bongos.

The New York Times

And the lead role will be played by Jim Carrey, who is such a fan of Kaufman's that he owns a set of his bongo drums and was willing to audition for the part.

The New York Times

"Bongo bongos are a set of drums.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing musical performances or instruments, use "a set of bongos" to specify the instrument being played, especially if other percussion instruments are involved. For example: "The band included "a set of bongos" alongside the congas and timbales."

Common error

Avoid switching between "a set of bongos" and "bongos" without a clear reason. Using "the bongos" implies a specific set already mentioned or known to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a set of bongos" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a specific musical instrument. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. The phrase acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting the instrument being discussed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a set of bongos" correctly identifies a percussion instrument, typically used in Latin American music. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase's validity, supported by various examples from news, media, and wiki sources. While less frequent in academic or formal business contexts, this phrase is versatile and neutrally registered. When writing, ensure consistent use of articles and consider the context to determine if a more concise alternative like "bongo drums" is suitable. Remember that “bongos” usually refer to a pair. Avoid confusion between “a bongo”, which indicates only one drum of the pair.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bongo drum set

Reorders the words while keeping the meaning the same.

pair of bongo drums

Specifies the quantity of bongo drums, emphasizing that bongos usually come in pairs.

bongo drums

Removes the article "a set of" for a simpler form.

collection of bongos

Uses "collection" instead of "set", implying a group of bongos.

bongo ensemble

Replaces "set" with "ensemble", suggesting a musical group including bongos.

percussion bongos

Emphasizes the percussion nature of bongos.

rhythm bongos

Highlights the rhythmic function of the bongos.

hand drums

Describes bongos as a type of hand drum.

musical bongos

Focuses on the musical aspect of bongos.

Latin percussion

Describes bongos within the context of Latin music.

FAQs

How can I use "a set of bongos" in a sentence?

You can use "a set of bongos" to describe a musical instrument in various contexts, like "He played a lively rhythm on "a set of bongos" at the party" or "The band's percussionist used "a set of bongos" to create a Latin-inspired sound."

What's a more concise way to say "a set of bongos"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "pair of bongo drums" or simply "bongo drums". The choice depends on whether you need to emphasize the set or the instruments themselves.

Is it correct to say "a bongo" instead of "a set of bongos"?

While "bongo" refers to a single drum of the pair, it's more common to refer to the instrument as a pair or set since they are typically played together. Saying just "a bongo" might sound incomplete unless you're specifically talking about one individual drum.

What is the difference between using "a set of bongos" and other percussion instruments in music?

A "set of bongos" produces a distinct high-pitched, sharp sound compared to other percussion instruments like congas or djembes. They are often used in Latin American music to create complex rhythmic patterns.