Four of the most popular hand drums used today are the Congas, Bongos, Jembe, and Doumbek

The Congas and Bongos are both considered “Afro-Cuban” or Caribbean instruments, even though they were influenced by African culture. The playing style, rhythms, and applications of these instruments are unique to Cuba. Congas an Bongos are often played in the same ensemble and combined into Multi-percussion setups, played by a single percussionist. They are popular in drum circles (recreational drumming), interactive drumming (developmental drumming), professional applications (entertainment), music therapy, and music education.

Congas are held between the legs, slightly tipped to the dominant-hand side.

Bongos are held between the legs with the small drum on the left. However; for classroom applications, placing them on a stand (for either sitting or standing) is recommended.

kalanimusic.com playsinglaugh.com peripole.com email: office@kalanimusic.com

Kalani - Rhythms from Around the World2011 MENC Northwest Division ConferencePresented by Kalani, MT-BCSponsored by Peripole-Bergerault (peripole.com)

KALANI

Conga Techniques

Bass Tone (B)Full Hand

Open Tone (O)Fingers Flat

Slap Tone (S)Flingers Relaxed

Hand/FingersAlternating Full Handand Fingers (shown)

Bongo Techniques

Holding PositionOpen Tones

(O)

Muted Tone with(Thumb)

(M)

Part A - Thumb(T)

Part B - Fingers(F)

Notice that the thumb is held away from the hand for all jembe tones. The hand bounces off the head for every stoke. Jembe technique is symmetrical, with primary beats played with the dominant hand

Because the doumbek and djembe are similar in shape, it might appear as if they are related. They are not. The djembe is from West Africa (Guinea, Mali, Ivory Coast, Senegal) and the Doumbek is from Egypt and the Arab Nations. The djembe is carved from wood (originating as a large mortar for pounding grain) and the doumbek is traditionally made of clay, likely originating as a storage vessel.

kalanimusic.com playsinglaugh.com peripole.com email: office@kalanimusic.com

Djembe (Jembe) Techniques

Drum is tipped slightly away to emulate the

hanging position

Bass Tone (B)Flat hand just inside

the edge (not center!)

Open Tone (O)Flat fingers. Knuckles are in line with edge.

Slap Tone (S)Relaxed Fingers

Same Pos. as Open

Doumbek (Darabuka, Derbeki, Tabla) Techniques

Drum is at an angle towards the body, held in place with the arm.

Low Tone “Doum” (D)Fingers towards the center - Bounce off.

High Tone “Tek” (T)Ends of fingers near

the edge.

High Tone “Ka” (K)Fingers near the edge

Not quite ready for bare-hand drumming? Try using hand drumming gloves. Play longer. Sound Great. Be Comfortable.Part of the Kalani line by Vic Firth

Sound Advice

Congas, Bongos, and Jembes are all traditionally made of wood and have natural (animal skin) heads. This combination produces an authentic sound and helps students (and audiences) gain an understanding and appreciation for the instrument as it is found in traditional settings. Providing tunable instruments for your students not only gives them the chance to learn how to tune a drum, it prepares them for middle, high school, and college instrumental ensembles.

Latin (Afro-Cuban)

Brazilian

kalanimusic.com playsinglaugh.com peripole.com email: office@kalanimusic.com

ãã

ã

ã

ã

cc

c

c

c

..

..

..

..

..

Cowbell

Claves

Maracas

Bongos

Congas

œ œ œ œ

.œ jœ Œ œ

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œR L R L

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œM F O T M F O T

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œH F S F H F O O

œ œ œ œ

Œ œ œ Œ

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

ã

ã

ã

c

c

c

Agogo

Shaker

Surdo (Bass)

œ œ œ œ

œ>

œ œ œ>

œ>

œ œ œ>

y ˙

5 œ ‰ 5 ‰ jœ œ

œ>

œ œ œ>

œ>

œ œ œ>

y ˙

Samba (sahm-bah)

Medium /Fast Tempo

X = Muted

Note: Agogo Bells are often made to allow the two bells to be pressed (clicked) together

with the holding-hand. Play "clicks" in between the notes indicated (in the rests).

West African

Middle Eastern (Arab)

kalanimusic.com playsinglaugh.com peripole.com email: office@kalanimusic.com

ã

ã

ã

ã

c

c

c

c

Djembe

Dundun

Bell

Rattle

œ œ œ ‰ Jœ œ œ œ ‰ J

œ

.œ œ ‰Jœ œ ‰

Jœ

— — — ! — — — — — ! — —

œ œ œ œ

œ œ œ ‰ Jœ œ œ œ ‰ J

œ

.œ œ ‰ Jœ œ ‰

Jœ

— — — ! — — — — — ! — —

œ œ œ œ

Kuku

Medum-Fast (105-120)

ã

ã

c

c

Zils

Doumbek

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

œ>

œ>

œ œ œ> œ

>œ œ œ

>œ œ

Baladi

Music Therapy DrummingKalani Music

For more resources, articles, and continuing education, visit the Developmental Community Music website playsinglaugh.com.Kalani is available for clinics, residencies, concerts, and special event. Visit kalanimusic.com for more information and to find out about availability. Kalani’s books and DVDs are available through music education retailers. Visit VicFirth.com to find out about recreational and classroom drumming products.