Does size matter?

[Mr.Grumpy]

I see that Congas are offered in sets that have 10 and 11 inch drums, 11 and 12 inch drums and then the higher-end sets that have 11, 11 3/4 and 12 1/2 inch drums. Say you have any two of these drums. Is the larger always to be treated as the Tubano and the smaller as the conga? For instance I have the 11 and 11.75 Limited Tocas. I know the largest drum is a 12.5 but I don't have that.

Also, what of the three sizes is the "main" drum? the quinto or the conga? I have only one instructional DVD and it does not adress this question.

[onile]

Alafia Mr. Grumpy!
I hope that you are well and abundantly blessed!

I think that for the most part, the 10 and 11 inch drums are normally considered "quinto" sized drums, whereas the 11 3/4 is a good conga(tres/dos) size, and anything 12 and greater is considered a "Tumba", 13 and greater is considered "Super-Tumba". As for which size is the main drum, this of course is a question of personal preference.

As for me, I totally love the bottom sound our drums create, therefore the majority of my drums are 12 1/2 or greater. I do however have two smaller size drums (LP Patato 11", Fats 11" Quinto).

My main drum has been traditionally 12 1/2 or 13" which I tune up a bit from the tumba or supertumba I'm using at the time. I just prefer playing on the total real estate that the drum has to offer.

Many blessings!

Onile!



Edited By onile on 1203477730

[Mr.Grumpy]

Alafia Mr. Grumpy!
I hope that you are well and abundantly blessed!........Many blessings!

Onile!

Thanks!
So what you are saying is that the tune of the drum is more important than the size of the drum when considering it's place and use in a "set"?

[onile]

I believe that could be a true statement Abure Mr.Grumpy.
When you check out some vintage videos from Cuba, some of the drums they are playing look to be 11, 11 1/2 or so, and all "tuned" in a manner to create such great sound when combined. The quinto drums they play look to be around 9" or so and are tuned to the highest pitch.

Suave!

Onile!



Edited By onile on 1203477822

[BMac]

If I had to choose only one drum to have, I would choose a tumba.

If I could choose two, I would choose a tumba and a conga (segundo).

Only if I could choose three would I get around to a quinto.

[Mr.Grumpy]

Hey BMac,
Why?
I would have thought that the conga would be the most versitile.

[zaragenca]

Saludos a todos, the situation would depend on the setting, becouse in the Guaguanco, the 'Quinto' would be small,(9/8), in order to reach the high frequency, and in the Conjuntos the percussionists were not trying to 'quintiar', but the play the main articulation/pattern,so they would have a bigger size,(and applying presure with one hand), would reach different chromatic/tones,(as I'm doing in the video)....then later the,'Quinto,' was incorporated as a normal feature in the musica groups...Dr. Zaragemca

[Mr.Grumpy]

Saludos a todos, the situation would depend on the setting, becouse in the Guaguanco, the 'Quinto' would be small,(9/8), in order to reach the high frequency, and in the Conjuntos the percussionists were not trying to 'quintiar', but the play the main articulation/pattern,so they would have a bigger size,(and applying presure with one hand), would reach different chromatic/tones,(as I'm doing in the video)....then later the,'Quinto,' was incorporated as a normal feature in the musica groups...Dr. Zaragemca

What video?

[BMac]

Funny you ask why.
I was wondering why to myself last night.
I came to this.

If I were the last man on earth, I would first choose a conga (segundo). It is the most versatile. Agreed. Next, in this lonely earth scenario, I would choose a tumba in keeping with my love for the lower tones ... can't intellectualize that, just how it is.

But I'm not the last man on earth. My tumba is the only one I have seen played in my community. There just aren't many congas around here at all. Somebody's gotta bring the tumba to the party. People like it when I play my tumba. I like having my own sound space when I play with others. So if I can have only one drum in a scenario where other people can have drums, they'll likely choose everything but tumbas, so I choose a tumba first. I choose a dununba over a djembe for the same reason. Everybody wants somebody else to keep time and play a solid rhythm. I am that somebody else. I like it like that. Everybody seems to think top percussion and improv is where the real talent lies ... I say F that ... without my solid groove, that top percussion falls on its face. In this populated earth scenario, I choose the conga (segundo) second ... to go with my tumba and to fill out the foundation of rhythm that I bring to the party.

In either scenario, I choose a quinto last. In the lonely earth scenario, I'll want to crack some highs once in a while to scare the pigeons in the park and to listen to the echoes off the tree line across the river. In the populated earth scenario, I'll loan the quinto to some beginner who naively believes the only real talent lies in top percussion ... go ahead kid, take the lime light! ... it's just an illusion. I once heard a bass guitarist say that while the girls all watch the lead guitarist play whiney senseless improvs, they shake their butts to the sound of his bass. I know what I want to see when I play.

BMac



Edited By BMac on 1203607042

[CongaTick]

BMac,

Thanks for a FRESH perspective on drum choices in the "lonely earth scenario". Makes perfect sense. And the bassist's remark brightened my day :;):

[umannyt]

Everybody wants somebody else to keep time and play a solid rhythm. I am that somebody else. I like it like that. Everybody seems to think top percussion and improv is where the real talent lies ... I say F that ... without my solid groove, that top percussion falls on its face.

...who naively believes the only real talent lies in top percussion ... go ahead kid, take the lime light! ... it's just an illusion. I once heard a bass guitarist say that while the girls all watch the lead guitarist play whiney senseless improvs, they shake their butts to the sound of his bass. I know what I want to see when I play.

BMac

BMac,

IMO, very eloquent and well-articulated!

Frankly, among my 3 Isla tumbadoras (quinto, conga & tumba), I consider my 13-inch tumba the best sounding. IMO, a monster of a sound! I even told Mario about it.

I fully share with you my preference to keep time--to be a pocket player. I do rolls only occasionally and, if so, I try to do it tastefully. I'll do solos only if I have to; that is, if my band's playing a jam song and each of us takes turn doing solo.

I have to admit that a main reason is that I'm one of the main vocalists with my 2 current bands.

Oftentimes, IMO, less is more. It keeps the audience focused on the overall sound of the band. Busy player(s) distract the audience from it. This was the case of the original drummer (Danny Seraphine) of the famous band, "Chicago", who did rolls on almost every line of their fast songs. Man, talk about a very busy drummer! Btw, he eventually got fired from "Chicago".

Contrast him with the underrated Ringo Starr of the "Beatles". He said himself that he hated to do rolls. The flashiest that he's ever been is probably on their medley, "Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End". But, he is metronomic and was said to be able to keep perfect time.

I just love your analogy about the bass guitarist! When I'm playing guitar, I play rhythm. But, if I didn't have to sing, my 1st choice would be to play bass. I just love those soothing low frequencies. Playing lead guitar would be my last choice. I've jammed with lead guitarists who couldn't keep their own time without either my percussion or rhythm guitar.

And who says only lead guitarists gets all the girls' attention? Tell that to the versatile Paul McCartney (who played bass only because John Lennon didn't want to) of the "Beatles" and the "notorious" ladies' man, Gene Simmons of "KISS". LOL! :;): :laugh:



Edited By umannyt on 1203634581

[zumbi]

yes BMac, real power is in the bass!



Edited By zumbi on 1203633819

[Derbeno]

Funny you ask why.
I was wondering why to myself last night.
I came to this.

If I were the last man on earth, I would first choose a conga (segundo). It is the most versatile. Agreed. Next, in this lonely earth scenario, I would choose a tumba in keeping with my love for the lower tones ... can't intellectualize that, just how it is.

But I'm not the last man on earth. My tumba is the only one I have seen played in my community. There just aren't many congas around here at all. Somebody's gotta bring the tumba to the party. People like it when I play my tumba. I like having my own sound space when I play with others. So if I can have only one drum in a scenario where other people can have drums, they'll likely choose everything but tumbas, so I choose a tumba first. I choose a dununba over a djembe for the same reason. Everybody wants somebody else to keep time and play a solid rhythm. I am that somebody else. I like it like that. Everybody seems to think top percussion and improv is where the real talent lies ... I say F that ... without my solid groove, that top percussion falls on its face. In this populated earth scenario, I choose the conga (segundo) second ... to go with my tumba and to fill out the foundation of rhythm that I bring to the party.

In either scenario, I choose a quinto last. In the lonely earth scenario, I'll want to crack some highs once in a while to scare the pigeons in the park and to listen to the echoes off the tree line across the river. In the populated earth scenario, I'll loan the quinto to some beginner who naively believes the only real talent lies in top percussion ... go ahead kid, take the lime light! ... it's just an illusion. I once heard a bass guitarist say that while the girls all watch the lead guitarist play whiney senseless improvs, they shake their butts to the sound of his bass. I know what I want to see when I play.

BMac

I hear you Bro, I was in this jam with 3 conga players where by this dude was just soloing non stop, feeling rather pleased with himself.
I did not mind holding the steady groove but after a good while we kept looking at him so he could give way for someone else to express themselves.

After a while I actually mouthed to him "tumbao", "tumbao" he finally got the hint.
You guessed it,..... our rather selfish maestro virtuoso could not hold a steady tumbao in the 'pocket' to save his ass. wtf!

Back to the subject; nothing like a booming Tumbadora sound.

[CongaTick]

Sorry the topic title made it irresistable....

It's not the size of your drum, it's the rhythm...

[TONE74]

I think bass plays a big part but I guess it all depends on what you prefer. Me myself like BMac love that bass sound and I'm not into all the flash. I'm a beginner still since I haven't been playing for a year yet, almost there, but I notice that when I play the tumba with a nice slow beat like the tumba part to guaguanco my girl starts moving to the music and my daughter bops her head. I guess slow and easy with a deep sound grabs more than high pitch. Then again if I had another instrument to choose from I would go for bass guitar or upright. I love the sound of it so I'm partial to it.