What Is the Difference Between Bongo Drums & Congo Drums?
Bongo and congo are two types of drums with somewhat similar appearance, origin and use. Bongo and congo drums are used in traditional Cuban music, some styles of African tribal music and may occasionally used in rock and pop music. Bongo and congo drums are played with the hands.
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Size
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Bongo and congo drums vary in size. Bongos are small, usually 6 or 9 inches wide and short enough to be held between the knees. The larger of the pair is called the "hembra" and the smaller is called "macho"; they are connected side-by-side. Congo drums are quite large, barrel-shaped and are usually held with a shoulder strap or stand. "Qunto," "Conga" and "Tumba" are the three standard sizes of congas. Congas usually range from 9 to 14 inches across and 29 inches long.
Origin
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Both drums originated in Africa and were introduced to the Americas in Cuba first as a result of the slave trade. The conga descended from a more conical drum called the "makuta." Ceramic bongos made their way east, while wooden bongos went west to Cuba. Originally, both types of drums had the heads glued on and were tuned by heating the skin. Modern tuning techniques developed in Cuba, named the standard "hoop and lugs" method. Synthetic skin is favored to actual flesh now, which makes them easier to replace and more animal-friendly.
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Music Style
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While both the conga and the bongos evolved closely, and were used in many of the same musical styles, the methods of playing are much different. Bongo playing involves use of individual fingers and the palm, and standard rhythms sound slightly like a galloping horse. Congas, on the other hand, are usually struck hard with the palm or all fingers at once, and the rhythms are more straightforward.
Purchase
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Bongo drums range from approximately $50 to $300 for a set but may cost much more if you want hand-crafted, authentic models. Conga drums are slightly more, typically costing $150 to $400 for a set.
Related Drums
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Some related drum types are djembes, which are large drums that are played singularly and are shaped like a goblet, and tablas, which are similar to bongos and are used in Middle Eastern traditional music.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit bongos image by dead_account from Fotolia.com
