Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 12:42 amI would like to start a discussion on the different names we use for congas. I got a cd of Sabu Martinez yesterday and I was reading the wonderful liner note. The notes have a description of what the time signature is, who is playing which instrument, and which drum part the conguero's are playing
"Sabu on the llamador"
WTF? Which drum is the llamador? Sabu is described as an early practisioner of a 5 conga technique, so I assume its either a name for requinto or for what is sometimes calles a "super" tumba.............but I may be wrong
As I know there are several interchangeable named for congas, or tumbadora's
so far this is how I believe it breaks down.
Congas and Tumbadora are interchangeable in describing the drums in general.
I think I have also heard of Tres Golpes used in this way (Nolan Warden History of the Conga Drum pg. 2)
Also in Tomasito Cruz's excellent Conga method book on pg 48 it says:
"we use the terms quinto and tumba for the smaller and larger of the two drums. These drums are also called "macho" and "hembra".........when there is a third middle drum, we use the term "tres dos""
This seems to imply that the quinto and the tumba are the common set up??? Are these terms the proper names of the drums? or relative terms, like the littler drum is always calle quinto, in relation to the other drum regardless of the littler drums actual size?
In addition we have:
Requinto : for the smallest drum, a modern drum (Warden pg.2). When was the first requinto?
Quinto, Macho: for what is traditionally the smallest drum, does this drum have another name? Is'nt there a type of guitar called a quinto as well?
Conga, Tres Golpes, Tres Dos, Golpe, Segundo, Macho or Hembra (depending on a second drums size): names for the middle drum.
Tumba, Tumbadora, Salidor, Hembra: names for what is traditionally the largest drum.
"Super" Tumba: in modern times an extra large tumba, does this drum have any different names? I don't imagine they call it "super" tumba in, say, Cuba, do they?
Llamadora: which drum is this? I have only heard of it in the liner notes for Palo Conga by Sabu Martinez in regards to the song Asabache
I am making no claims as to being 100% correct on any of the above. I am writing this post so that other more qualified and educated historians can pick up the discussion, make any corrections to my list and add some information and history to the origins, meanings and translations to these names. I also welcome anyone to add additional terms and names they have heard or use for conga drums.
Edited By bongosnotbombs on 1188598528
"Sabu on the llamador"
WTF? Which drum is the llamador? Sabu is described as an early practisioner of a 5 conga technique, so I assume its either a name for requinto or for what is sometimes calles a "super" tumba.............but I may be wrong
As I know there are several interchangeable named for congas, or tumbadora's
so far this is how I believe it breaks down.
Congas and Tumbadora are interchangeable in describing the drums in general.
I think I have also heard of Tres Golpes used in this way (Nolan Warden History of the Conga Drum pg. 2)
Also in Tomasito Cruz's excellent Conga method book on pg 48 it says:
"we use the terms quinto and tumba for the smaller and larger of the two drums. These drums are also called "macho" and "hembra".........when there is a third middle drum, we use the term "tres dos""
This seems to imply that the quinto and the tumba are the common set up??? Are these terms the proper names of the drums? or relative terms, like the littler drum is always calle quinto, in relation to the other drum regardless of the littler drums actual size?
In addition we have:
Requinto : for the smallest drum, a modern drum (Warden pg.2). When was the first requinto?
Quinto, Macho: for what is traditionally the smallest drum, does this drum have another name? Is'nt there a type of guitar called a quinto as well?
Conga, Tres Golpes, Tres Dos, Golpe, Segundo, Macho or Hembra (depending on a second drums size): names for the middle drum.
Tumba, Tumbadora, Salidor, Hembra: names for what is traditionally the largest drum.
"Super" Tumba: in modern times an extra large tumba, does this drum have any different names? I don't imagine they call it "super" tumba in, say, Cuba, do they?
Llamadora: which drum is this? I have only heard of it in the liner notes for Palo Conga by Sabu Martinez in regards to the song Asabache
I am making no claims as to being 100% correct on any of the above. I am writing this post so that other more qualified and educated historians can pick up the discussion, make any corrections to my list and add some information and history to the origins, meanings and translations to these names. I also welcome anyone to add additional terms and names they have heard or use for conga drums.
Edited By bongosnotbombs on 1188598528
