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What are Bongo Drums?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Bongo drums are two drums, consisting of one larger drum and one smaller drum that are joined together. They are particularly important in Latin music, specifically music deriving from Cuba. Though these drums are often said to have originated in Cuba, there are variants in Africa, particularly in Egypt, and in other Middle Eastern countries. They differ slightly from the Cuban drums, as the bases tend to be ceramic rather than wooden.

In most cases, bongo drums have a wooden or metal base, and they can be tuned by tightening the skin over the drum. Their sizes vary according to player preferences, but there is almost always a size difference between the two drums. When played, they are held between the knees and tapped with the fingers. Occasionally, they may also be played with brushes.

Bongo drums are often played with rumba dancing.
Bongo drums are often played with rumba dancing.

The two drums are each named: the larger one is called hembra and the smaller macho, which are the Spanish names for female and male respectively. Hembra has a lower tone than macho, but both are significantly higher in tone that the much large conga drums, which are also played in Latin and African music.

Bongo drums became quite popular in the late 19th century. Music including the drums inspired the salsa, mambo and the rumba dance forms, and was called son. As these dances gained in popularity, so did the music.

Latin music often uses bongo drums.
Latin music often uses bongo drums.

Watching a skilled musician play the bongos is fascinating. The hands must move exceptionally quickly to capture the staccato and quick rhythms of the music. In drum solos, the player’s hands can move so quickly that they appear to blur with the motions.

The player will usually specialize in various percussion instruments, although when a musician plays the bongo drums, he or she is called a bongocerro. There are hundreds of successful bongocerros, including Willie Bobo, who frequently records with Tito Puente. Frank Colon has performed with many groups, like Manhattan Transfer and Airto. His music is also featured in the work of solo performers like Mary J. Blige and Herbie Hancock.

Nils Fischer may be one of the most interesting bongo players in recent times. He works and records in Holland, where Latin music is now quite popular, and is helping to spread the form as a teacher at the Rotterdam’s Conservatorium.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent MusicalExpert contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent MusicalExpert contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon164829

does anyone know all the types of music a bongo drum can play? please help me.

PelesTears

@ Amphibious54- Where did you buy your bongo and conga drums? I went to my local corporate music emporium and the high school aged kid behind the counter looked at me as if I was crazy when I asked him about the types of drums used to play reggae music. All they had was traditional drums and a few kids hand drums.

Amphibious54

@ PelesTears- I think what you are referring to are conga drums. They are not Jamaican drums; rather they are Afro-Cuban drums. However, they are often part of the percussion set in a reggae band. I have a pair of Remo conga and Bongo drums and they are lots of fun. Sometimes I will get together with friends and we will play a little reggae. You should be able to find pictures of these online. I hope this is what you were looking for.

PelesTears

When I was in Jamaica I saw a reggae show, and one of the percussionist was playing a set of drums that looked like the bongos drums. They were similar drums, but they were taller. They sat on a stand and had a deeper tone than what a set of bongos would have produced. I do not know what they are called, but I was hoping someone could help me figure it out. Thanks.

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    • Bongo drums are often played with rumba dancing.
      By: Dancer01
      Bongo drums are often played with rumba dancing.
    • Latin music often uses bongo drums.
      By: ILYA AKINSHIN
      Latin music often uses bongo drums.
    • Bongo drums play a major role in the music of Cuba.
      By: Stephen Finn
      Bongo drums play a major role in the music of Cuba.