Bongo drums or bongos are a percussion instrument made up of two small drums attached to each other. The drums are of different size. The larger drum is called a hembra (Spanish: female) and the smaller drum is called a macho.
Types of bongos
The two small drums that make up Bongos are typically made of wood, metal, or composite materials, attached by a thick piece of wood. The drum head can be made of animal skin or it can be synthetic. Some bongoceros prefer the sound of X-ray film as the head on the macho.
Bongo-like drums with ceramic bodies and goatskin or rawhide heads are found in Morocco where they are known as tbila, as well as in Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries. They can sometimes be found accompanying flamenco and other traditional Spanish music, partially because of the Moorish influence in Spain. Ceramic bongos are more common in the Middle East and Asia than they are in South America; this is because wooden bongos were brought to Cuba during the slave trade.
Playing technique
Bongo drums produce high-pitched sounds, and should be held between the knees with the larger drum on the right when right-handed. They are traditionally played by striking the drumheads with the fingers and palms, although some contemporary compositions require sticks or brushes. Bongos can also be muted by placing part of the hand on top of the head while striking it at the same time. In Cuban music, bongos are usually played by the same musician as the cowbell (Spanish: cencerro). These drums can also be played on a stand, as is the case with concert orchestras and bands.
They have also become a popular instrument among soundtrack writers for movies and television, because of their versatility and high-pitched sounds.
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