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Posted:
Thu May 05, 2005 4:11 pmby petew
Hi there,
I'm fairly new to conga playing and i'm trying to make a sound that i presume is done on the congas.
The best way for me to describe it would be like a 'sigh' or 'breath', it is a very open, harmonic tone. Thats the best way i could describe it.
If anyone has any idea what i'm talking about and could give me any information i would deeply appreciate it.
thanks.
Posted:
Thu May 05, 2005 5:59 pmby 106-1028519773
I think what you are referring to is called the "moose call" or "glissando". It's done by licking the tip of your index finger and pressing your thumb against the index finger for stability. You then hit the tumba with an open tone with your other hand and you simultaneously gently glide your finger across the head. If you do a search under "moose call" within these forums, you should find more info on how to produce this sound.
Posted:
Sat May 07, 2005 12:21 amby windhorse
Interesting that you used the word, "sigh". That's what our study group calls it.
Agree with previous post on how the sound is made.
Posted:
Sat May 07, 2005 1:10 amby conga KID
id like to second this sound,ive tried it over and over on my conga and quinto but it doesnt seem to work.now ive been told it only works on the tumba maybe 12'' or more is this right?
Posted:
Sat May 07, 2005 12:13 pmby ABAKUA
conga KID wrote:id like to second this sound,ive tried it over and over on my conga and quinto but it doesnt seem to work.now ive been told it only works on the tumba maybe 12'' or more is this right?
The lower the pitch of the drum, the easier it is to do this sound.
Close to impossible out of the quinto because it is generally tuned quite high, so there is limited vibration on the skin to allow for this tone.
On a conga or tumba, providing tuning is generally correct, it will work as the skin vibrates more due to it having more movement in it because it is generally tuned lower.
Also, the sound is easier to generate once skins have been worn in, or broken in as I like to call it.