Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about
Bongo Drum
Bongo drums are a musical instrument in the percussion family that are believed to have originated from both the African and Cuban cultures. Bongo drums are a pair of drums attached together and played together. The larger drum is referred to as the hembra (female) in Spanish and it is attached to the smaller drum referred to as the macho (male) in Spanish. The general idea is that the bongo drums are Cuban in their invention but African in their concept because of their design influences. Bongo drumming appears to have become popular in the late 1800s in Cuba in the music styles called Son and Changui.
Interesting Bongo Drum Facts:
- The bongo drums are believed to have originated in Cuba's eastern region in the Oriente Province in the late 1800s. In the 1900s the bongo drum found its way to Cuba's western region, in Havana, with Son style music.
- Bongo drums have an open bottom - similar to the Bantu or Congo drums from central Africa - which is the reason why bongos are believed to have been influenced by African drum design.
- The size of bongo drum heads can vary but are usually between 6 and 7 inches to between 7 and 8.5 inches.
- When playing the bongos the drummer usually holds them positioned between their legs. The position of the bongos depends on player preference but the technique of striking the bongos is the same in that the drummer strikes with their finger pads, thumbs, and heels of the hand, but never their knuckles.
- Bongos must be maintained with drum oils that keep the skin of the drum from drying out and cracking. This cracking can occur because air can dry out the skin and hands can absorb the oils which robs the drum skin of moisture.
And as always have a chilled day from the Viking
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