Essential Information For Choosing Your Conga Drum and Getting Started With Your Rhythms

Essential Information For Choosing Your Conga Drum and Getting Started With Your Rhythms

When you head to a music store and see a narrow, single-headed, tall drum and wonder what it is and what it's for? That's the Conga, and they are from African roots. These drums are mostly called tumbadora, the person playing it is called a Conguero. Congas came from simple beginnings, were made because people love festivities and celebrate life through dance. Congas were used as main instruments of Afro-Caribbean religious music and the famous dance of Rumba.

The first Conga was made from salvaged barrels; nowadays they are made of staved wooden or fiberglass shell for added durability and beauty. Congas are incorporated in Latin music and other genres of American Pop music. It is easy to play so long as you know the strokes; a simple hand tapping using the fingers and the palms on the drum head makes the liveliest sound.



Imagine people dancing to the rhythm of Rumba, sweat, and energy all over their body and your fingers and palm tapping on the head of the drum. The Conga has five basic strokes to follow if you want to get the unique pitch or sound that you want. Open tone and Muffled tone are played the same way which is by using four fingers; the slight difference is in the manner of which the fingers moved, the open tone is near the rim of the head while the latter is against the head. The Bass tone is played with full palms on the head, Slap produces a loud and clear popping sound, and Touch is played by touching the fingers or palm heel to the drum head.

A few things to consider when purchasing your conga drums, whether you are a professional musician or not, is to search for a good name. The brand of the conga tells you something, it entails the history of the company as instrument manufacturers, having a good history means having excellent products. Try to see every detail of the conga, check the material used and it's build. Ask for assistance from the sales people so that you can try to play it to hear just how nice the quality of the sound is.

The Conga Drums that come in all sizes and forms are found and can be purchase from good online stores. You can buy a single drum or a set of two to four drums. There are sets in all different colors and designs. The most common shade is those of brown or the color of the wood. Dark colored glossy Congas are also attractive and elegant, makes music playing even more fun. The Colorful ones are great for those who have colorful attitudes. You can also get sound plates and accessories such as bags, mounting system, and rubber feet. To complete your set, you can also have the book on the basics of Conga playing.

After purchasing a set or two of Conga drums, you can now fully enjoy it's music and the happiness that comes with it. When music touches your soul, nothing can ever take that away so as important as your music playing is, your real conga drums should last as long as it takes. Be wise in your purchases. Get the instrument of your choice.