Neubie: Undecided

[efm2]

Hi to all. This is my first post here having been a lurker for some time now. I have been interested in hand drums ever since but studies and then work prevented me from enjoying it. Now that I have some free time I would like to try again. Majority of the forum members here recommend a conga as a starter drum. I wanted to start with a Gio Galaxy wood conga but as luck would have it here in my side of the world they only have the quinto and tumbo and they have the Lp Salsa conga in stock. To complicate matters the Gios are on sale. The Quinto is going for $350 and the tumba is $450 while the Salsa conga is priced at $450. I wanted a conga but the prices for the Gios are tempting. I can afford only 1 drum at this point. Being experience players what would you recommend for me to start on? I don't have a musical preferrence at this time which adds to the complication. Starting with the right one is the most crucial point for me right now.
Thank you all for your patience.

[Bataboom]

hey what size is the quinto? If its 11' thats not far from a conga, I started my home set with an 11' and Im enjoying playing that one at home practice. Unless its a 10 then I would say go with the tumba for now then get them to order you a matching conga. Or online you get free shipping at music123.com

I don't have a musical preferrence at this time which adds to the complication.

What music do you like to listen to that would have a flavor of congas? Like Jazz, Latin, African, Gospel, Latin Jazz etc. Get you some samples and see which genre appeals to you the most and go from there. I know some people accompany other genres with congas that I personally dont like or think congas would really fit, but they do it and it works for them!



Edited By Bataboom on 1138407547

[efm2]

Hi Bataboom. Thanks for replying. Yes, the quinto is an 11". I like jazz and some latin music but I think I will gravitate later to other styles when I start experimenting. Did you detune your 11" to match a conga or you played it as is?

[Bataboom]

Well I tuned it until it hit the sweet spot and played it like that for a while that was prolly closer to conga tuning then quinto tuning, then tuned it higher more toward quinto and play like that as well, I guess its good to experiment a little if you only have one drum, because here at home thats what I got one 11' for one its a little hard to get a perfect tuning because I dont have other drums to match it to nor do I have other intruments to help me tune it, so for now I feel it out and go with what sounds ok for now, when I get another drum I will try and get it closer tuned to a quinto and my other tumba tuned as a tumba of coarse and rock like that.

One thing I noticed with tuning is when I tune at home, or try and get the drums close by ear, when the music starts at church thats when you really can tell which way your off when your playing along to the keyboards, bass, etc. I find it hard to tune alone or to a piano playing single key, but when he is playing a tune and I play along I can tell right off which drum is in tune and which needs adjustment.

What did help me at home tuning is one of the guys here gave me this boomwacker site with tunings on it its kinda kiddy but works. http://www.boomwhackers.com/music2.htm right now I got my drum tuned to the second red "C" from the right as a quinto.



Edited By Bataboom on 1138421674

[franc]

Bataboom,
i was checking your post and enter ''boomwhackers'' it is sure a helping tool for tuning. i never thought there could be such perc. tuning. great you sugested the site to our fellow member'' efm2'' peace and great drumming!! áche!! franc

[Bataboom]

yeah works great someone mensioned it to me in a earlier thread I cant remember who, but it helps me here at home away from the rest of the band, and the situation where you only have one drum to tune.

[efm2]

Great site Bataboom! Thanks.

[onile]

Magandang Umaga Kumustaka efm2?
Okay, so that's about the extent of tagala that I know!
Anyway, welcome to the forum!

Great save Abure Bataboom! I've never seen that site before, pretty cool!

Having the quinto and conga (providing that's what you've got), you can tune them accordingly to meet the need you might have (jazz, latin, blues, etc). You'll just have to figure out whether you'll tune the quinto, as abure Bataboom stated, to a conga, whereas if you do, then you'll probably tune the conga lower for your 'bottom'. Of course you can work the other way as well, quinto as a quinto, and conga as conga, either way it's been done before!

There are threads on this forum that cover "tuning of conga drums" search and ye shall find!

The point is to just have fun, learn good technique the first time through and be good to yourself my friend!

Suave!
Onile!



Edited By onile on 1138469501

[efm2]

Hi Onile!

Great Tagalog! I thought I have a "kababayan" in the forum:laugh: ! At this point in time I am still undecided which route to take. If you can afford only 1 drum, what would be a better choice between a quinto and a tumbadora? I ask this because I love the looks of the Gio Galaxy wood but they don't have the conga available. I was thinking now of detuning the tumba to a congo or just using the tumba as a tumba? Is this a better choice than tuning a quinto to a tumba?

Thank you to all who have responded. You have all been very helpful.

[Bataboom]

yu can get a tumba tight to sound like a conga with some bottom end, but a quinto tuned down wont sound like a tumba being a smaller drum with not as much bottom end. If your choosing the GIO quinto and tumba set and your just only getting one drum for now and another later I would go with the tumba first, then get the quinto later. you can tighten that tumbe up a bit and get some great sounds out of it with one drum.

[efm2]

Hi Bataboom,

That is also what I am thinking My path is getting clearer by the day.

[CongaTick]

efm2

Great to hear from conguero from the Perlas ng Silanganan. Lived all over the islands for 15 years, married to a Pinay. The Flipino woodworker is legendary-- and am a little surprised conga/drummaking hasn't taken hold as an art form. There are some drums used in past by Ifugao/Igorot (though mostly gongs/agongs). Any drummakers in the provinces?

[Isaac]

Definitely get the Tumba of the two, as the others
suggest. The conga's role within most music needs
that low note, although the quinto gets to add
the flashier licks. Its a better foundation to
start with the lower drum and tune it up a bit.
In the old days only one conga was used in bands, and
it tended to be lower.

Isaac

[efm2]

Hi Conga Tick, Life in the Island is great and cheap too except in Manila. Nice to hear you married a Filipina. I hope she's taking good care of you. We have excellent wood workers but yes, surprisingly, drum making was unheard of. It is more guitar making in Cebu that is popular.
It's nice to touch base with you Conga Tick.

Hi Isaac, Thanks for the advise. If finances will hold in the next few days I might get both so I don't have to worry anymore:)

[efm2]

Hi to all,

Finally went for the Salsa Conga. I hope my instructional videos arrive soon