Studio Class 4
Conga Clinic: Five Basic Tones
Dr. Jason Kihle, Associate Professor of Percussion
Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Roots of the Conga
➢Rumba: originally a synonym for party in certain segments of Havana and Matanzas
➢Initially used boxes, called Cajones
➢In the 1920s congas began to be introduced at rumba gatherings, adopted the rhythm and style elements of rumba
Basic ideas on conga
➢Stay relaxed
➢Takes time to develop sound just like it does on any other instrument
Setup
➢Hold the drum between your legs, the drum should be titled forward
Five basic tones
➢Bass/heel: in conga playing the hand stays on the head for the bass tone and is in the middle of the head; for the heel, place the hand at the rim and roll in
➢Toe: fingertips strike the head by raising the wrist
➢Open: wrist stays straight, strike just past biggest knuckles towards wrist, allow fingers to come off the head
➢Muffle: wrist stays straight, strike just past biggest knuckles towards wrist, fingers stay on the head
➢Slap: wrist is at an angle for this stroke; is created by fingers striking drum; use velocity of wrist (and some arm) to create the sound
Basic Pattern
Tumbao: this is for playing most popular Cuban styles, including Cha-cha-chá and Mambo
The heel-toe pattern should drive this rhythm
The following pattern can help you develop your heel-toe:
Recommended Texts
Conga Cookbook/Sanchez
TimbaFunk/Diaz, Garibaldi, and Spiro
The Art of Playing Timbales/Rendón
The Conga Drummer’s Guidebook/Spiro