What are Congas?

Congas are drums that come from Africa, but are now most identified with the music of Latin America and the Caribbean. The earliest congons were made of wood and cost a relatively high 3-4 feet (0.91-1.22 m) in height. Drumheads were covered with animal skin. They have a cylindrical shape of tears and are often played in pairs. Congas carries some similarity to other drum tools such as Timpani, because the drums can be tuned by tightening the heads, usually in perfect fourth, even if it may vary.

Because the Congo comes in different sizes, there is a certain scattering in the names that connect to them and some disagreement about what each size should be called. The smallest size, which comes in sets of two, three or four, can be worn over the shoulder and is called Ricardo. From the smallest to the largest, generally measured diameter of the drum, Congas Requintos, Quintos, Congas, Tumbas and Supertumbas can also be named. In general, if there is more than one Conga Pieneré, they have the same size.

most Conga players are qualified percussionists and can be called Congueros in Latin America if they specialize in Conga. Even a good percussionist has to handle different ways to play these drums, which are hit by hands, rather than any type of mallet. The way the head is affected significantly changes the produced sounds. Bitting with the palm creates a deep basic sound and a number of strokes or finger touches make different sounds. In addition, where you hit the drum, it can affect what can be heard, and some interventions in the center or head side are used to create different effects.

You will find the Conges used in a large amount of Latin American music and music from the Caribbean and you can hear their various rhythms in Samba, Salsa, Rumba, Mambo and many other musical styles. Sometimes Drums are played as part of the drum bands and at other times they are an essential part ofdrums in much larger belts. Congas can be used for a dramatic effect because they are in musical hair , or they can provide amazingly full drum sounds combined with other musical instruments.

Although congons were once made only of wood and hiding, there are now types of glass fibers with heads made in various synthetic materials. Quality drums can be expensive to buy and, like most drums, the heads should be replaced from time to time. The average price of one Conga can range anywhere from 80 to more than $ 500 in USD (USD).