Small Conga weighs: 6.7 kilos. Height 75cm, 10 inch
Large Conga weighs: 10.5 kilos. Height 80cm, 11 inch
A conga is an approximately 70-75 cm high single-headed drum, barrel-shaped and open at the bottom, which is usually played with the hands.
The origins of the instrument can be found in the Congolese makuta drum. This was brought to Cuba via slaves and eventually became important in Cuban music. After 1930, the conga was discovered by New York jazz orchestras, after which the instrument gradually became part of Western music.
The shape and appearance of the conga have changed over time. Nowadays congas are a bit thicker ("belly"). The instrument is made of wood or fiberglass. Wooden congas generally sound warmer, fuller and deeper than fiberglass congas, which generally sound brighter and slightly more powerful.
There are plastic heads for congas, but natural heads are usually used because they give a warmer sound. A natural skin is made from an animal skin (cow or buffalo). A conga is tuned using a metal ring and tension hooks, with which the skin can be tightened or loosened. The tighter the head, the higher the conga sounds. Congas generally have five or six tension hooks.
Congas are played with the fingers or palm in sets of two, three or more. Each conga in the set has a different head diameter. Sometimes percussionists also set up bongos with the congas.
Internationally, sheet diameters are indicated in inches.[1] In Western countries, these are the most common names and sizes for congas:
Superquinto or Requinto; 10" or approx. 25.4 cm sheet diameter
Quinto; 11" or approx. 27.9 cm sheet diameter
Conga; 11 3/4" or approx. 29.8 cm head diameter
Tumba; 12 1/2" or approx. 31.7 cm sheet diameter
The depth of the congas is usually between 28" and 30". The larger the head diameter, the lower the conga sounds.
In Cuba, congas are known under the collective name "tumbadoras". The individual drums are usually referred to by the function they fulfill in a particular musical style. For example, the largest drum in the guaguanco style is referred to as "salidor" and in the makuta style as "caja".
Virtuoso conga players (congueros) include the Cuban Changuito and the Puerto Rican Giovanni Hidalgo.
Due to the weight and size, this will be sent in 2 packages.