how to play a conga and what is the recommended drumset for intermediate players.?

Question

Firstly, i wanted to find out the position of the congas. (whether the lower pitch conga is placed on the left or the right) I also wanted to know if there is any lessons online available for beginners.

Next, I would like to know what kind of drumset is good for intermediate players. I would like to know the prices too.

thanks.

Answer 1

Conga sets usually include the "quinto" with the highest pitch, "segundo" for the middle pitch and the "tumba" or "tumbador" as the lowest. Looking at the set from the front, the lowest is on the left. But, if you are right handed, and standing behind the set playing them, the quinto is to the left and the tumba is to the right. If you are playing left handed, it is just the opposite. Toca makes a passable conga and are affordable. The higher end stuff is either LP, La Playa or Gon Bop, and they can be pricey.

Selection of the right drum kit definitely makes a difference. For an intermediate player I would recommend Pearl Export series 5 piece. These are constructed of Birch wood, or Mahogany if manufactured before 1999. It also includes hardware. A five piece Export kit can be purchased today through Musicians Friend for $739, which includes a free 10x8 tom to make it a six piece kit. The Export standard 5 piece from American Musical Supply is also $739. It pays to shop around!

There are of course other manufacturers who make drums available in this price range, but I am partial to the Pearl kits with their low mass lugs and the ISS mounting system that holds the toms by the rim, instead of going through the shell, giving the drum more sustain.

Over the years I have had kits by Rogers, Gretch, Ludwig and Pearl, made of mahogany, maple, birch and vistalight. I prefer the Pearl. They have recently introduced the "Reference" series, but, it would require a second mortgage on the house for me to buy one. These are a hybrid wood laminate, with different woods and combinations of woods for each drum, according to drum pitch. They are, right now and in my opinion, the best sounding drums ever made, with all due respect to DW.

The pearl Exports are good sounding drums and very affordable. Even a less expensive kit will sound better if some good heads are put on. For all around playing, I would recommend the Remo Pin Stripe for batter heads. If classic or modern rock is going to be played, then I would recommend heads by Aquarian. I would suggest the Super Kick II for the kick, and Performance II for the tom batter heads.

Sometimes people neglect to consider the bottom, or "resonant" heads. Here I would recommend Remo Ambassador heads for the rack toms, and a Remo Emperor for the floor tom. The Ambassador is a thinner head and better suited for the higher pitched rack toms. The Emperor is thicker and sounds better on low pitched toms, at least in my preference. I would recommend this as a jumping off point when considering lots of experimentation can get expensive.

If you do go with a Pearl kit, the stock foot pedal for the kick I would rate as barely passable. For my own use I chose Tama's Iron Cobra double pedal. Mid range in price and a very well engineered piece of equipment. Axis makes a high end double footboard, triple beater (yep, a triple. I can't wait to play one) but it costs nearly as much as the kit.

Which ever kit you decide on, make sure the stands are double braced.

Cymbals, good ones, can be pretty expensive and are due some serious attention. I prefer Zildjian A Custom for my crashes. I use16, 17, 18 and 19 inch 'Projection' crashes and 6, 8, 10 and 12 inch splashes, all with brilliant finishes. I use a Zildjian A ping ride and A 14 inch rock hi-hats, which come tone matched and designated as top or bottom. Needless to say, these were quite an investment. I also use 14 and 18 inch Wu Han Chinaboy cymbals. Other good cymbals include Sabian, Paiste and a new German entry by Meinl. The Meinls are way out of my price range, but they are the best sounding cymbals I've ever heard. Take some time to consider cymbals, because the kits may come and go, but the cymbals stay.


There is a video and or DVD available called Marco Minneman: Live in L.A. He is the representative for both DW drums and Meinl cymbals. Get it if you can. When you see it, you will agree that this guy is living proof extraterrestials are living amongst us.

Don't purchase from a music store, unless they can get close to the catalogue price. I say close, unless they are a high volume dealer, where I would expect catalogue prices, otherwise they will usually charge list prices. I would suggest any of the cataloque on-line retailers, and recommend www.musiciansfriend.com or www.americanmusical.com. Great selection, prices and service.

If you need more info or tips for playing / practicing, you can contact me through this site and I'll try to help. Good luck!

Answer 2

Conga Lessons Online

Answer 3

i might want to propose a bach stradivarius Bb Trumpet or Yamaha Bb Trumpet. Bach's have a sensible sound and are available in pupil, intermediate, and specialist fashions, and are more desirable common to go back for the length of in musical insterment shops, yet typically has a extreme fee, each region is diverse and also you would possibly want to need to seem into it. over right here it would want to be about 1200-2300 money clean. Yamaha's have an same fashions as of the Bach's, i in my opinion like Yamaha trumpets because I easily have a Yamaha Xeno Seris professional Trumpet. Now the fee is most of the situations lower than Bachs yet back that is in accordance with region the position i stay a clean trumpet fee about 800-1400 money, my xeno became 1700 money. both are equivalent in sound and seems, it fairly is as a lot as your decision, and how a lot your prepared to spend.

Answer 4

lower one to the left

good luck hey

Answer 5

lower goes left. if you are starting out, any set will do. Its the player , not the intrament.