Conga Basics
By: Megan E. Thomas

Conga is the general name for the instrument and also the name of the middle or main drum. Each conga drum has a different name. There are three main sizes of conga drums. The smallest is called the quinto and has a head size of 11". The conga is the middle size and has a head size of 11.75". The largest conga drum is called the tumba and it has a head size of 12.5". Each of these drums have other names such as primo, segundo, tres golpes, tumbadora, salidor, etc. The list goes on with other names. There are also other sizes available and even a couple other drums that are not as common. Those other drum sizes are sometimes 9.75", called the requinto, and 14", called the super tumba.

Congas are made out of wood or fiberglass. Some of the woods used to make congas are oak, rubber wood, cherry, ash, etc. The wood drums are more traditional in sound and warmer in tone. The fiberglass are more resistant to the weather and have more projection as well as being brighter in tone. Rims on the drums are usually curved to prevent hand fatigue. Traditional rims are not curved and are set closer to the wood bearing edge.

In order to play the congas there are some different tones to learn. The basic tones are the open tone, the slap tone, the bass tone, the heel tone, and the toe tone. One should study with an instructor to learn the tones properly so as to not damage one's hands. The most commonly used pattern, which can be utilized in a vast number of styles of music is called the tumbaó. The entire tumbaó pattern is written with eighth notes. The feel and time signature can be changed to fit different genres of music. The pattern is most commonly written in the time signatures of 4/4 and 2/2. The pattern is as follows:

Tones H-T-S-T-H-T-O-O
Hands L-L-R-L-L-L-R-R

Key
H = heel tone
T = toe tone
S = slap tone
O = open tone
L = left hand
R = right hand

The above pattern, as previously stated, is the most common. There are many more possible variations. Experiment with adding multiple drums into the pattern, other rhythms, different tones, different order of tones, a different feel (like swinging it), etc. Be creative and have fun.