Perhaps you've heard their bellowing vibrations while dining at a tropical-themed restaurant or perhaps they have helped set the mood at a poetry night at your local coffee shop. Regardless of when or where, chances are that your ear-drums have been treated to the almost mystical beats of conga drums.
Conga drums have evolved greatly into a societal fixture from their Cuban origins. This shelled instrument (made of either staves wood or sometimes fiberglass), also known as a tumbadora, can traditionally be heard in Afro-Cuban musical stylings, but it is now common to hear congas prominently in a diverse field of music, such as jazz, salsa and Latin rock.
The skilled musicians who play these two to four drumhead sets are referred to as congueros (while "rumberos" refers to the dancers who follow in the path of conga drums-players). Congueroians utilize a wide variance of playing techniques, most of which encompass solely the fingers or palms of their hands.
Styles (also known as strokes) include an open tone, which is played with all the fingers of either hand, or both hands, near the rim of the drum-head, which created a clear resonant, distinct tone (admit it, you can hear in your head right now and you are currently tapping your foot). By placing the four fingers of the other hand on the same drum-head, it muffles or mutes the tone, which produces a completely different, unique sound.
Part of what makes congas so remarkable is that there is no limit to their usage. As mentioned before, you can hear them being incorporated in many genres outside of its' Cuban and Latin roots, such as reggae and even country. You can even hear some of music'a biggeat stars utilizing congas to help remake their biggest hits into more stripped-down, acoustic-based - this is sometimes referred to as a coffee shop remix.
It is that kind of diversity that make conga drums so special. They are unifying in the cultures they mesh together. Their unique tones no know language barriers, and fluently speak in the most hip-shaking, body-moving dialect. In a time where ethnic walls are being built, congas are needed more than ever. Whether your interest in congas is purely out of enjoyment of them as an instrument, or you yourself are a budding congueros, you play a small role in welding all people, of all creeds together.
So what makes congas so remarkable? It is the diverse people that create the unique instruments. It is the diverse people who invest so much time in perfecting different strikes to create the most unique tones. It is the diverse people who utilize these instruments to create music that speaks every language around the world. It is the diverse people that dance to congas. It is the diverse people who enjoy congas.
It is congas' diversity which not only enhance their unique tones, but make them so remarkable. So the next time you hear conga drums, no matter how simple or seemingly so simple they may seem, remember how important they actually are.
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