New Special Musical Instrument Congo From Varanasi

FIVE FINGERS PRESENTS  MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CONGOFOR BEGGINERS .

IT’S A WOODEN SHELL SCREWED WITH STEEL PLAYED IN SET OF TWO.

PLAYING TECHNIQUE-

THERE ARE FIVE BASIC STROKES:

·         OPEN TONE IS PLAYED WITH THE FOUR FINGERS NEAR THE RIM OF THE HEAD, PRODUCING A CLEAR RESONANT TONE WITH A DISTINCT PITCH.

·         MUFFLED OR MUTE TONE (TONO AHOGADO): LIKE THE OPEN TONE, IS MADE BY STRIKING THE DRUM WITH THE FOUR FINGERS, BUT HOLDING THE FINGERS AGAINST THE HEAD TO MUFFLE THE TONE.

·         BASS TONE (TONO BAJO): PLAYED WITH THE FULL PALM ON THE HEAD. IT PRODUCES A LOW MUTED SOUND.

·         SLAP TONE (TONO SECO): THE MOST DIFFICULT TECHNIQUE PRODUCING A LOUD CLEAR "POPPING" SOUND (WHEN PLAYED AT FAST AND SHORT INTERVALS IS CALLED FLOREO, PLAYED TO INSTILL EMOTION IN THE DANCER).

·         TOUCH TONE (TOQUE DE PUNTA): AS IMPLIED BY THE NAME, THIS TONE IS PRODUCED BY JUST TOUCHING THE FINGERS OR HEEL OF THE PALM TO THE DRUM HEAD. IT IS POSSIBLE TO ALTERNATE A TOUCH OF THE PALM WITH A TOUCH OF THE FINGERS IN A MANEUVER CALLED HEEL-TOE (MANOTEO), WHICH CAN BE USED TO PRODUCE THE CONGA EQUIVALENT OF DRUMROLLS.

SYNOPSIS OF THE PRODUCT-

NAME – CONGO

HEIGHT – APPROX. 9’’

MATERIAL – GOOD QUALITY WOOD , STEEL SCREW

                       AND SKIN.

ROUND DIAMETER- BIG – 6’’, SMALL- 4’’. 

SUITABLE FOR BEGGINERS.

 ALSO USED FOR DECORATIVE PURPOSE.