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Nov.14,2009
This is a simple introduction to the percussion conga components for who is starting now approaching this fantastic percussion instrument.
Components are:
- Head: this is the drumskin, tipically on water bufalo skin or fiber material, that gives the sound characteristics based on the quality and thickness of the material
- Rim: this is the metal ring that hold down the head on the conga drum. There are different kind of rims with different profiles and thickness
- Lug: metal adjustable pins that hold the rim on the conga drum. Being adjustable allow to tune the conga head to have the right sound
- Shell: this is the conga drum body, a kind of barrel built in either wood staves or fiberglass.
- Bottom: this is easy to guess, just the lower part of the shell that can have a metal ring or just any kind of border in wood or rubber
In next article we focus on the conga’s shell: Choosing your conga: Wood vs fiberglass
Tags : conga, conguero, percussion
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[...] congas are quite unique as they don’t have a shell, so they are easy to transport and… compact, as the name [...]
[...] congas are quite unique as they don’t have a shell, so they are easy to transport and… compact, as the name says! LP Compact Congas are [...]
Short and clear – Thank you guys for the information!
It would be nice to have an article explaining the differences with different materials…. just an idea
Hi Steve!
Thanks for commenting.
That’s a very good idea!
This article wants to be an introduction to get people familiar with the terminology and the anatomy of the congas, but surely we’ll work on something more specific about fiberglass vs wood shells, or raw vs plastic skins.
Thanks!
I’m new on gongas and I am confused about their names.
If I have only 01 conga set what’s its name?
If I’m 02 set?
If I’m 03 set, what is the name of the conga which is in the middle?
If I have nonstandard size congas will the name change?
Hey Guto,
Welcome to the addictive World of congas
The name doesn’t depend on the number of drums in the set, but in their size.
The quinto is around 11 inches across (about 28 cm) and used for soloing.
The conga is 11.5 to 12 inches across (29.2 to 30.5 cm) and the most used drum.
The tumba is 12 to 12.5 inches across (30.5 to 31.8 cm) and adds a lower tone when playing for example a “tumbao” rhythm.
There are less common sizes like smaller ones (requinto) or extra-big ones (supertumba).
If you’re looking for a normal set, CONGA + TUMBA are a great way to start!
Ciao
Thanks! I saw a video and the player uses the quinto as the primary conga (in the middle), so looks like it is a personal choice…
So, what size an “one conga” player generally use???
It actually depends.
In rumba, each person plays just one drum like in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gZ3NdjcoJM
The guy on the left is the one soloing on the quinto, while the guys on the right play conga and tumba.
In normal latin music like Salsa, a conguero generally plays at least 2 drums: conga and tumba
If you’re doubting which drum to buy first, I’d say a conga
Ok, understood the soloing stuff, same as bongos with congas.
As example I have in mind, “Do it again” – Steely Dan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czD5atidjnQ
This the kind of sound I love and want to play with congas (early 70′s songs).