I have been working with Bram over the last week or two helping him to test and fine tune the new Bongo and Conga modes and he has done an amazing job. Drumtune Pro can now correctly detect the pitches of all sizes of conga and bongos and comes with a useful recommended tuning range guide. This is a real game-changer for me as a percussionist as I can now tune to specific notes and reproduce the same tunings each time. I imagine the best players in the world can do this by ear to a piano, but for the rest of us mortals this app opens the doors to congas and bongos that sound professionally tuned. every time... I tune my Congas and Bongos as follows: Tumba D3 Conga G3 Conga Bb3 Quinto C4 Quinto D4 Hembra D4 Macho F5 There is a brilliant guide to the tunings used by some professional players starting on page 31 of this research paper: The Conga drum : development, technique, styles, improvisations and the contribution of master drummer Ramon 'Mongo' Santamaria If you want any tips or suggestions on tuning your Congas and Bongos get in touch...😁
I´m a beginner, but was told that if you don´t know what intervals to use to tune your drums, try singing the wedding tune "here comes the bride". Tune the lower drum to "here" and the higher one to "comes". That´s more or less a 4th apart. What notes you use to tune them is up to you but a popular choice is G for the lower drum and C for the higher :)
I myself have used my own method of tuning. My method may not have a common name but it is simple and productive of a good sound. My method is to 1st detune the drum head to zero tension. With the head loose I tighten the first tuning lug until the head makes the first good resonating note that 'sounds good'. When you have tuned the first lug up to the point of producing a good sounding note this is the place to stop tuning. You will use this lug as your base sound from which to match all of the other lugs on the drum. Go around and tighten each lug to achieve that same note or sound that you like. Keep all lugs tightened so that the sound is equal in pitch when tapped with a stick about 1-2 inches in from the rim of the drum head. Tap around the head near the edge by the lug points. Adjust the tuning rods until the sound is even all the way around when tapped near the rim and lugs. This will help to produce a good resonant note. Each drum will be have its own nice sounding 1st note when you tune up from a loose head. This is where I start. I start with the 1st nice resonant sounding note when tuning up from a loose head. This method yields a nice and workable interval. I guess this is tuning to the 1st nicely resonating note, and then going around and finding the 1st nicely resonating note for the rest if the congas. You can always tune 'up' from this base tuning that is based upon the 1st nicely redonating note for each drum. This is a base tuning that delivers a very 'low' base tuning for each drum. You therefore are beginning your tuning experience at a uniform starting point for each drum. That point being the lowest nicely resonating note for each drum. This method can help you understand the ideas behind tuning drums to intervals. These intervals are based upon the 1st nicely resonating note of each drum. The 1st nicely resonating note will be different for each drum because inherent factors of each drum yield a unique sonic signature when tuned in this basic way. Essentially I tune the drum up until it sounds good and stop at this point. This is for me a 'low tuning. I play the drums tuned like this until I decide to tune up to a higher tuning. Then I tune the lug up until I reach a 2nd nicely resonating sound, and this therefore becomes the base tuning for the higher pitched tuning of the drum and I go around and raise the tuning of the lugs to reach the equal sound of the first tuning lug. This method focuses on keeping the tension equal on each tuning lug. Note I use a tuning app on my cell phone to be able to watch the name of the note that I am tuning to as I go around tightening the tuning lugs. Any guitar tuning app will work. You monitor the tuning needle until it centers on the resonant note, as in 'B' all the way around. Hold the tuner within a few inches of the head while tapping near the edge and adjust until all lugs register the same note. This is an accurate and very easy way to ensure even tuning and a nicely resonating drum.
Thank you for the advice. I just got a conga yesterday and am struggling to tune it to a nice tone. I can get it in tune with itself but find it sounds out when I'm playing along to guitar music. Do you adjust the tuning of the conga when playing along with other instruments or do you keep yours tuned at the same key each time you play?
@@shanewatts5115 It is definitely ok to tune to your own favorite tunings. I recommend downloading a guitar tuning app to your cell phone. These work great by placing them near the head and tapping the head to produce a note. The pointer needle moves on the phone app meter and shows you the note and octave number. You go around the lugs and adjust to the same note. Loosening only 1 tuning lug will eliminate a lot of noise from the head, ringing, etc. It is a 1 lug destressing method and it can remove ringing from the slapped head.
@@shanewatts5115 Another big factor of getting familiar with your conga drum while played along with your guitar has to do with your brain becoming familiarized with the new sound of the conga, and the new sound of the conga combined with the familiar sound of your guitar. Use an app tuner on your phone and tune to a recommended note, such as D. Watch 'conga tuning' on you tube videos. Study these videos and learn how to perform these technical skills. You will need to practice with guitar and conga, in some sort of orderly way, over a period of time before your brain becomes accustomed to the new combination of sounds. Time and practice will train your brain to understand how these 2 kinds of sounds interact. And you will get better as your brain adapts to the new sounds.
Hey guys and dolls...You can find me on FB and ask me any questions about Tunning or playing or what ever musical question you may have. I dont consider myself an expert but most of the things i know is because i listen to lots of great players and also great music and different styles and instruments etc...The Piano is the best percussion instrument and if you take some or play some that will help you to tune up your ears....See you. And have Fun man keep it positive that's the name of the game of Life!!!
+Alex Neciosup-Acuna Mr. Acuña.....es usted una persona no solo talentosa si no tambien humilde ...mis respetos hermano, que Dios le bendiga mucho! saludos desde México!
LP Aspire congas & bongos sound way better then these! I know for I play on LP Giovanni galaxy bongos & congas as well as LP Aspire congas that blend nicely with my LP Giovanni galaxy bongos & congas. I did start out on LP Aspire bongos & they are great sounding don't sound cheap at all!
I have been working with Bram over the last week or two helping him to test and fine tune the new Bongo and Conga modes and he has done an amazing job. Drumtune Pro can now correctly detect the pitches of all sizes of conga and bongos and comes with a useful recommended tuning range guide. This is a real game-changer for me as a percussionist as I can now tune to specific notes and reproduce the same tunings each time. I imagine the best players in the world can do this by ear to a piano, but for the rest of us mortals this app opens the doors to congas and bongos that sound professionally tuned. every time...
I tune my Congas and Bongos as follows:
Tumba D3
Conga G3
Conga Bb3
Quinto C4
Quinto D4
Hembra D4
Macho F5
There is a brilliant guide to the tunings used by some professional players starting on page 31 of this research paper:
The Conga drum : development, technique, styles, improvisations and the contribution of master drummer Ramon 'Mongo' Santamaria
If you want any tips or suggestions on tuning your Congas and Bongos get in touch...😁
I´m a beginner, but was told that if you don´t know what intervals to use to tune your drums, try singing the wedding tune "here comes the bride". Tune the lower drum to "here" and the higher one to "comes". That´s more or less a 4th apart. What notes you use to tune them is up to you but a popular choice is G for the lower drum and C for the higher :)
I was just going to check you guys out but I found out you were permanently closed. Rest in peace, Greenbrier Music.
gg no re
I myself have used my own method of tuning. My method may not have a common name but it is simple and productive of a good sound.
My method is to 1st detune the drum head to zero tension. With the head loose I tighten the first tuning lug until the head makes the first good resonating note that 'sounds good'. When you have tuned the first lug up to the point of producing a good sounding note this is the place to stop tuning. You will use this lug as your base sound from which to match all of the other lugs on the drum. Go around and tighten each lug to achieve that same note or sound that you like. Keep all lugs tightened so that the sound is equal in pitch when tapped with a stick about 1-2 inches in from the rim of the drum head. Tap around the head near the edge by the lug points. Adjust the tuning rods until the sound is even all the way around when tapped near the rim and lugs. This will help to produce a good resonant note.
Each drum will be have its own nice sounding 1st note when you tune up from a loose head. This is where I start. I start with the 1st nice resonant sounding note when tuning up from a loose head. This method yields a nice and workable interval.
I guess this is tuning to the 1st nicely resonating note, and then going around and finding the 1st nicely resonating note for the rest if the congas.
You can always tune 'up' from this base tuning that is based upon the 1st nicely redonating note for each drum.
This is a base tuning that delivers a very 'low' base tuning for each drum. You therefore are beginning your tuning experience at a uniform starting point for each drum. That point being the lowest nicely resonating note for each drum.
This method can help you understand the ideas behind tuning drums to intervals. These intervals are based upon the 1st nicely resonating note of each drum. The 1st nicely resonating note will be different for each drum because inherent factors of each drum yield a unique sonic signature when tuned in this basic way.
Essentially I tune the drum up until it sounds good and stop at this point. This is for me a 'low tuning. I play the drums tuned like this until I decide to tune up to a higher tuning. Then I tune the lug up until I reach a 2nd nicely resonating sound, and this therefore becomes the base tuning for the higher pitched tuning of the drum and I go around and raise the tuning of the lugs to reach the equal sound of the first tuning lug. This method focuses on keeping the tension equal on each tuning lug.
Note
I use a tuning app on my cell phone to be able to watch the name of the note that I am tuning to as I go around tightening the tuning lugs. Any guitar tuning app will work. You monitor the tuning needle until it centers on the resonant note, as in 'B' all the way around. Hold the tuner within a few inches of the head while tapping near the edge and adjust until all lugs register the same note. This is an accurate and very easy way to ensure even tuning and a nicely resonating drum.
Thank you for the advice. I just got a conga yesterday and am struggling to tune it to a nice tone. I can get it in tune with itself but find it sounds out when I'm playing along to guitar music. Do you adjust the tuning of the conga when playing along with other instruments or do you keep yours tuned at the same key each time you play?
@@shanewatts5115 It is definitely ok to tune to your own favorite tunings.
I recommend downloading a guitar tuning app to your cell phone. These work great by placing them near the head and tapping the head to produce a note. The pointer needle moves on the phone app meter and shows you the note and octave number. You go around the lugs and adjust to the same note. Loosening only 1 tuning lug will eliminate a lot of noise from the head, ringing, etc. It is a 1 lug destressing method and it can remove ringing from the slapped head.
@@matthewbolduc2714 thanks very much for the advice, greatly appreciate it. 👍
@@shanewatts5115 Another big factor of getting familiar with your conga drum while played along with your guitar has to do with your brain becoming familiarized with the new sound of the conga, and the new sound of the conga combined with the familiar sound of your guitar.
Use an app tuner on your phone and tune to a recommended note, such as D. Watch 'conga tuning' on you tube videos. Study these videos and learn how to perform these technical skills.
You will need to practice with guitar and conga, in some sort of orderly way, over a period of time before your brain becomes accustomed to the new combination of sounds.
Time and practice will train your brain to understand how these 2 kinds of sounds interact. And you will get better as your brain adapts to the new sounds.
Awesome! Just got myself a pair of Congas! Thanks fellas!!!
I really enjoyed that...and learned a lot. Thank you.
Hey guys and dolls...You can find me on FB and ask me any questions about Tunning or playing or what ever musical question you may have. I dont consider myself an expert but most of the things i know is because i listen to lots of great players and also great music and different styles and instruments etc...The Piano is the best percussion instrument and if you take some or play some that will help you to tune up your ears....See you. And have Fun man keep it positive that's the name of the game of Life!!!
+Alex Neciosup-Acuna Mr. Acuña.....es usted una persona no solo talentosa si no tambien humilde ...mis respetos hermano, que Dios le bendiga mucho! saludos desde México!
That mission impossible cover tho.. Nailed it!
Awesome Video!
Nice mission impossible playing 🙂🥁
thanks guys now my congas sound great
thanks I needed to know how to tune them so now I have a clue.
Maestro.... Orgullo del Peru
wow..now i can really tune them..thanks ..
Nice
thanks
The Bongo's ,wow !
Great Lesson
LP Aspire congas & bongos sound way better then these! I know for I play on LP Giovanni galaxy bongos & congas as well as LP Aspire congas that blend nicely with my LP Giovanni galaxy bongos & congas. I did start out on LP Aspire bongos & they are great sounding don't sound cheap at all!
great video. A lot of echo tough. Can`t hear the tone clearly
When the shop dude 'clarifies' the interval thing, he starts off singing a 6th saying it's too close, and then sings an octave!! Not helpful :-/
Stuart Ross
Haha
Like
Asian Rubber wood.