Conga Music Drum

The conga drum is widely used in many countries around the globe but is believed to have mainly originated in both Africa and Cuba, and is often called the Afro-Cuban drum or Afro-Cuban barrel-shaped drum. Today, congas, which are played either singly or using several drums, are a large part of the Latino-American music, and those who play this unique instrument are referred to as congueros.

Conga drums are narrow, tall, and have varying widths ranging from nine inches across the drumhead to 14 inches across, with the size affecting the sound and pitch of the drums. Larger congas are used for playing lower, deeper rhythms, while the smaller, or Quinto drums are used for playing the melodies. When playing several conga drums together, they most often are tuned to one particular chord.

However, throughout Cuba, the Spanish name tumbadora, which is a more accurate term, is commonly used to describe the drums and is more widely used rather than conga or congas. In Cuba, conga is only used when describing drums that are specifically played during Carnaval, which is similar to the annual Mardi Gras celebration in the United States.

Conga drums are typically made from woods such as oak, ash, or beech, although the fiberglass congas of today are gaining in popularity as they can be more durable and are usually far less expensive. Although, many professional congueros who have mastered the techniques still prefer the traditional wooden congas, stating that the sounds produced are warmer and richer than with the newer fiberglass sets.

Congas made from ash wood tend to produce more resonant tones, while oak models are said to give a warmer sound along with reducing overtones that are similar to those made when using synthetic materials.

Today drumheads are also made from synthetic materials, although traditionally, heads made from cowhide were used for the most melodious of sounds, while in more modern times, water buffalo hide was the preferred material of choice to create a crisper, cleaner tones.

Typically, buffalo skins are more expensive while other rawhide drumheads are generally found on the less pricey congas. Synthetic heads created to mimic the sounds of natural materials may be beneficial to the more inexperienced player as they produce a brighter, louder tone when played, and also tend to be more durable.

As with any type of musical instrument, craftsmanship and the best materials are of the utmost importance. The use of quality materials and finely honed skills will produce a better set of drums that's not only easier to tune or play but one that will also sound better. Even beginners are encouraged to purchase a well-made set of congas that will still be sufficient as their experience grows and their skills increase.

Played with both hands using the fingertips and the palms of the hands, conga drums produce a wide variety of sounds that can be loosely described as either open or muffled tone, slap, open or muffled slap, bass tone, fingers, or palm. Experts recommend learning how to invoke the many different sounds before mastering hand coordination and then finally concentrating on the rhythm aspect of playing conga drums.

The open tone stroke is played using four fingers, striking close to the rim of the drumhead which produces a clear, distinct sound. The muffled tone stroke, similar to the open tone, is also made using four fingers, but then involves keeping the fingers against the drumhead to muffle the sound produced. For a low, more muted sound, opt for the bass tone stroke using the full palm of the hand to strike the drumhead.

The most well-known rhythm for congas is known as the tumbao, which uses a 1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2 rhythm with the first two played with muffled tones, and the latter using open tones. Another most popular rhythm is called the bolero rhythm (1-2-3, 1-2, 1-2-3) which uses two congas and has most recently been heard on songs by artists such as Andrea Bocelli in Besame Mucho and Luis Miguel in La Puerta.

Some of the most widely known congueros are Desi Arnaz, who was the influence behind the naming of a small conga known as the "Ricardo" from his television role, Candido Camero, Giovanni Hidalgo, Arsenio Rodriguez, and Poncho Sanchez. Many types of modern music, including jazz, Latin jazz, salsa, mambo, and rumba, still rely on conga drums to keep the beat and produce a variety of unique sounds.

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