How to Play a Conga Drum

The conga drum is all about rhythm. Played with one or two hands, the rhythms are achieved by hitting the head of the conga drum in different places with various hand positions. Learning to play a conga drum is not as easy as it appears. Mastering some basic techniques, however, can get you started.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Conga drum
• Rack, stand or strap
• Rhythm
• Internet access

1. Purchase a conga drum at your local music store, over the Internet or through classifieds. They are available in several sizes. Quinto, the smallest of the three, features the highest pitch and is primarily used for performing solos. Conga is mid-size and responds to patterns performed on a tumbadora, which is the biggest of the three drums. The tumbadora establishes the basis of a given rhythm.
2. Create various sounds on your conga drum by playing a series of four strokes: slap, open tone, bass tone and heel finger. These strokes may be marked by signs that will yield the desired sounds.
3. Cup your hand somewhat to produce a slap, the most difficult technique to learn. This motion makes a "sound chamber" between the top of the drum and your hand. Using your fingertips, hit the drum's center. Rest your other hand on the head of the drum to produce a dry tone.
4. Hit the drum's edge with your knuckles to create an open tone. The sound produced is a result of your fist recoiling upward.
5. Strike the drum with your palm facing the drum's center to produce a bass tone. Beat the drum with the heel of your hand. In a separate move hit the drum with your fingers. This produces a heel finger sound.
6. Adjust your conga to reflect your own sound. Some basic tuning methods, however, are recommended. Tune your conga in a circular motion, clockwise or counter-clockwise, around the drum's head.
7. Alter the lugs to a similar pitch. Doing so makes your drum in tune with itself.
8. Find the note that brings about the lengthiest sustain when an open tone is struck and removes most of the high pitch sound. Tune your drum to that note.
9. Tune your drum up or down in varying steps. After playing, the drum should be tuned down. Doing so increases the drum head's life, keeps your drum from going out of round and permits tuning whenever the drum is used.

Tips & Warnings

• To learn to play a conga drum properly, consider taking lessons from a professional or taking advantage of websites that offer online instruction.
• Shop around for good deals on used drums either online or in your local want ads.
• Practice, practice, practice.