In the varied world of hand drums, two of the most commonly used in Western music are the bongos and the congas.
Both originate from Cuba and are likely descended from ancient instruments of Africa.
The bongos come as a pair- one larger (hembra) and one smaller (macho) and are separated by a wooden bridge.
They are usually played between the legs but can also be mounted on a stand.
Being that my place of work owns a set of two congas, one thing I’ve noticed is that people mistakenly call them bongos on a consistent basis, when they are a completely different instrument.
The congas are much larger than the bongos.
They are classified into three types, according to size and pitch:
- Quinto (lead drum, highest)
- Tres Dos or tres golpes (middle)
- And tumba or salidor (lowest).
They are most commonly used in groups of two or four, though it is not unusual to see someone play just one.
Sometime in the 90s, a band I was in went to a Mexican restaurant after a gig. We knew the place had strolling musicians. Our drummer snuck in a conga drum and when the musicians came to our table, he asked if he could play with them. They politely agreed.
Quite often, the congas and bongos are combined and played together.
Though the congas are lower in pitch than the bongos, and the two instruments have their own distinct tone, it can be sometimes difficult to tell them apart sonically, sight unseen, as they can make a variety of sounds and pitches, depending on how they are played.
In particular, I’ve seen many folks online mislabel the congas as bongos in discussion forums and on playlists. I don’t claim to be perfect at it myself.
Here are examples of each being played alone, so one can more easily hear the difference in tone.
Congas…
Bongos…
I am not a percussionist by trade, but I can play some basic beats on the congas and every now and then I get to play them on a song.
It’s an absolute joy.
There is just something raw and therapeutic about feeling your hand hitting the head of that drum and playing a consistent pattern that is part of a rhythmic whole that’s taking place around you. I have never participated in a drum circle, but I totally get the appeal.
(* Note to self: add drum circle to ever growing list of things I’ve never done but should try.)
The number of songs that feature congas and/or bongos seems practically endless. If you listen to any kind of Latin jazz, you are more than likely going to hear one or both.
They can also be found in abundance in soul/R&B, smooth jazz/pop, funk, rock and roll, particularly classic rock, as well as disco and other genres of dance music.
I’ve compiled a playlist of songs that feature congas and/or bongos playing by themselves or with other percussion instruments at the start of the song, setting the tone for what’s to come. The congas are heard on the beginning of the majority of the songs, including the first five.
But if you want to hear the bongos, check out in particular:
The two tracks by The Incredible Bongo Band and/or Preston Epps’ Bongo Rock.
Enjoy!
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Thanks for this, RB. I try to resist the urge to correct people when they confuse bongos and congas, but I’m sure I mix up details of their specialized occupations, too. Slip joint pliers vs. channel locks? Eh, potato, potahto.
Just don’t confuse statistical significance and effect size!
Oddly enough, and the timing being pure coincidence, I was playing congas on the final song in church this past weekend, and launched into a solo at the end, which was basically my first one ever. I can’t tell you if it was good or bad, but the response it got was far more enthusiastic that anything I’ve done on the piano in years.
I also would have failed. I absolutely would have reversed the names of congas and bongos.
Nice playlist! Funny to see Chicago’s “Prelude to Aire” without “Aire” (which some days is my all time favorite Chicago song). But the prelude is the one with the Congas
And “Apache” by the Incredible Bongo Band is an all time great.
Thanks for straightening me out!
Aire also starts with Congas but it’s not as long, so I chose the Prelude because it highlights them more. I may just end up tacking Aire on after all since it also qualifies. Is there such as thing as too much Chicago?
Don’t ask Peter Cetera that question.
Noted.
I added “Aire”.
I can hear the difference between bongos and congas now, but I imagine I’ll have them mixed up in 5 minutes or so.
What about the song “Conga” by Gloria Estefan? I know it’s mostly drum pads, but surely there are some real congas in there somewhere. No? In any event, I love Gloria Estefan.
What about “I Zimbra?” Is this bongos, congas, both, or none of the above?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMu74UkA1ZQ
I had “I Zimbra” on the list originally, as it sounded like congas were included, but there’s so much going on, I wasn’t 100% sure so I removed it. Great track at any rate.
“Conga” starts with vocals, not percussion, so it didn’t make the playlist, but yes, there is someone playing both congas and bongos for sure during the song. It’s prominent and you can see him banging away in the video.
I do have a banger on the playlist that features both Sheila E and Gloria Estefan.
I don’t know my congas from my bongos. I keep wanting to say congo instead of conga. Which reminds me that I don’t know my Republic of the Congo from my Democratic Republic of the Congo.
It’s tricky.
Best to just listen to the Incredible Bongo Band. A name that gives assurance of which instrument it is. If they ever used congas I don’t want to know. I couldn’t take the confusion.
That is the safest plan. JJ.
I could tell the difference visually, but I’m hard pressed to determine which one is playing if I can’t see them. However, perform in a drum circle is also going on my own ever growing list of things I’ve never done but should try.
Came for the shout-out to the Incredible Bongo Band – was not disapointed. Great article – thanks!
Yes, amazing stuff. If you haven’t checked out Preston Epps’ Bongo Rock, there is some next level bongo on that as well.
Before I developed my own taste in music, I’d play my mom’s cassettes on a Panasonic tape recorder. She collected a series called Oldies But Goldies. I remember “Bongo Rock”. It was the last song on side one. In retrospect, that was an inspired series. A lot of the songs didn’t chart particularly high. My favorites were The Flamingos’ “Lovers Never Say Goodbye”(#52; oh, wow; now that’s the embodiment of atmospheric) and Little Anthony and the Imperials’ “Two People in the World”(it was the flipside for “Tears On My Pillow”(#4); oh, all of a sudden, I feel like the Diner guy).
Special bongos mention: Andy Kaufman, and Jim Carrey as Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon.
We had one of those Panasonic tape recorders too. Music never sounded better to me and it was about as lo fi as you could get.
@Both_Grouse, I’d be interested in your thoughts on this topic, from your percussionist perspective