Can U play two congas the same size?

[Mike]

I would like to hear: "Yes, we can!"
Congrats to the American fellows on this board - I think you got the best for President!

The more serious side of my post is:
Two congas of the same size, let´s say 11.75", often have a different sweet spot,
one having an ideal pitch even appr. four tones above the other whose full resonance is somewhat lower.
This is precisely the case with the two 11.75" Afro congas (which stand 32" tall) I have.
So to practice I have grown fond of using them as a conga + tumba set.

Now my question: would the conga police say it´s permitted to use this conga-conga set or is it a no-no?

Any input is greatly appreciated.
Thanxs
Mike

[SalseroBoricua71]

*

[Congadelica]

Traditionalists would say no way papa.
But it depends on what your playing and who with . If its samba/candomble ,for me I choose to use my quinto and conga , with the conga tuned low like a tumba . this seems to work better than traditional Conga/Tumba. but in traditional setting while played with 6 loud surdos .I have experimented with both and most the time the quinto and conga get the vote from our samba group .
If it s rumba /son in its strictest Id say you have to go with tradition nothing else makes sense and sont sound good , well to my ears
go for it , you know the traditionalists on here will shoot you down in flames . so why ask lol...........

[CongaTick]

There are no aliens in flying saucers. There is no Bigfoot. And there are no conga police. Tune and play your drums anyway you like that sound good for you and the mates you play with. If you're worried about "conga police" and the traditional "rules" you'll never enjoy playing. If you LOVE the traditional-- then you wouldn't even have posted.

[No.2-1820]

I believe Candido played a set of variously tuned congas of the same sizes.

Barrie

[Mike]

Thanks everybody,
that is the kind of replies I have summat expected
I am perfectly aware of being no die-hard traditionalist in what sense ever.
It is just that I was afraid of virtual bashing

[JConga]

i disagree with Congatick Yes their are Ufo's and yes there is bigfoot and u can play 2 congas of the same size...of course tuned differently...Giovanni likes to use a conga instead of a quinto when he is playing 5 congas as well as other congas the same size....Johnny (i believe in Ufo's) Conga....why? cause I've seen them with my own eyes!....oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh......hahahahahaha

[Mike]

After a long day of teaching, you made my day Johnny!
There´s no such thing as THE TRUTH when it comes to UFOs, voting results or women - but:
I see ´em all the time
I was really asking my question for practical reasons: Two heavy Afro congas means two 32" tall tubs,
whereas my often-carried-around LP babies, which I use on stands frequently, are only 30".
So it´s far more comfortable to play the tall congas seated, as I am 6 feet 4"...

Well, and tuning definitely works fine, Steven!

Thanks for your attention
Greetings by
Mischevious-minded Mike

[maelopr]

I've seen quite a few congueros down here in the island using 2 tumbas for playing salsa music, Wilito Lopez of La Sonora Ponceña just to name one.....

[JConga]

Hey Mike glad i can make ur day.... ....hey! there goes one now !....

[CongaTick]

JC

You made My day also!!!

[jorge]

The question is really how do they sound? Depending on the skin thickness, density, stiffness, break-in status, and other variables, you may well find a higher pitched sweet spot on one drum compared with another of the same size. I suggest you get someone else (who can play) to play them in a large room or outdoors and go listen about 50 feet away and see if the loudness of each drum is similar. One reason we tend to use larger tumbadoras for the lower drums is that a larger head radiates a higher sound pressure level (SPL), ie a louder sound, than a smaller head tuned to the same pitch and hit with the same impact. Because of the way the human ear and brain are built, lower pitch sounds need higher SPLs to be perceived as equally loud with a higher pitch sound. If you mic your drums, you can just put the mic closer to the lower drum in a position where the 2 drums sound equally loud.

[Mr. Conga]

Yeah fellow conga members, i think you all highlighted that is possible. You just have to tune properly
as Salseroboricua71 mentioned.
And i really think IS about having fun, and enjoying music, if you ae too uptight,and regulated by so called or traditions, or rules on congas than your not to free to enjoy the music.

I have done that when i have to. I have even played a quinto, and conga combination, properly tuned.
Just beacause that was what i had on hand,it was in front of me, i felt likeplaying, and having a good time. And it worked fine.
If we were on Cuba, just for example, and that's what we had we would use what's at hand.
"Work with what we have". Because is about the feeling,of playing and enjoying it. Not so much superficial stuff.

They use gardening tools, as a bell, "come es que se llama esa piesa???"...
I admire the people in Cuba, because there might not be to many comedities at hand, but they shure know how to make the best of it, and have a good time.

[Mike]

Depending on the skin thickness, density, stiffness, break-in status, and other variables

Jorge,
you are right, I have taken these variables into consideration - and was amazed that the two congas really sounded like conga y tumba.

@ Mr. Conga, Steven and the others: Thanks again for your support!

Cheers
Mike