Congas

Congas

The conga drum is a musical instrument from the percussion family. It is a single head drum that originated in Africa but became famous after they were included in Cuban music. In the 1930s the conga drum gained much attention when Latin music became popular across the USA. Cuban music is not the only style of music to incorporate the conga drum. It is also used in Dominican music, Colombian, Brazilian, reggae, funk, country, and samba music.

Construction

A conga drum is tall and narrow, played with the fingers and palms, often in pairs, but sometimes in other combinations, or just singly. They are available in a range of sizes – the smallest can be just 9 inches across and are worn from a shoulder strap, while the largest "supertumbas" are up to 14 inches across. The size of drum obviously affects the sound and pitch of the instrument, with the largest drums being used to play the lower rhythms, and the smaller acting as the "singer" of the band, playing the melody. In addition, the pitch of the drum will vary according to the model and manufacturer. When conga drums are being used as purely a percussion instrument they do not require tuning to a specific note. When played as part of the harmony in music they must be properly tuned to specific notes.

Materials

Conga drums are traditionally made from wood, but nowadays, fiberglass models are also popular among buyers due to their durability – not to mention that they are relatively inexpensive. Tastes vary, but many professional players prefer wooden conga drums and maintain that they produce a richer, warmer sound than fiberglass models. Wooden conga drums are most frequently made from oak or ash, and sometimes also beech wood. There are many excellent models made in all types of wood, ash drums are seen as particularly resonant, while oak conga drums combine a warm tone with reduced overtones. The other factor to take into account when considering your preferred type of conga drum material are the drumheads themselves. These are traditionally made from rawhide, and this is still probably the best material available, but synthetic heads are also common nowadays. In years past, hide drumskins were normally made from cowhides, which provide a warm and melodic tone. The modern equivalent is typically made from water buffalo, which makes for a thinner, crisper sound.

Buy congas in Musician.UA

You can buy congas in our stores. It is also possible to place an order in the online shop. Delivery is carried out all over Ukraine. Thanks to the wide assortment, everyone will find a suitable product for themselves. You can always count on professional advice and assistance. We care about the quality of service and do everything we can to make sure you are satisfied with your purchase.