Tuning 2 congas in M2 intervals - And a tumbao variation

[James M]

One of my personal favorite tunings is tune low to high a major 2nd, that is D and E, F and G, G and B, B and C#, etc...

The reason is that it provides an interesting dissonance and motion to the tumbao.

This tumbao variation (I'm sure some have played this figure)
puts the first the open the first O on the tumba of the 2nd clave bar, and adds an extra O at the beginning of the repeat



H T S T H T S O H T S T H T [O] O

R L
O H S T H T S O H T S T H T [O] O...


I use this as a call when I begin to improvise on the tumbao, adding more syncopated O's and [O]'s, and H T and S fills.



Edited By James M on 1080871916

[CongaCaja]

it seems that you have a small mistake in your posting. Instead of "G and B", I think you meant to say "G and A"...assuming that you're talking about Major 2nd intervals.

Also, I have been experimenting with various tuning combinations in the past couple of months as well. This renewed interest in tuning was cause by the fact I finally bought a 3rd drum (quinto). Unlike my other two drums which have nice peruvian cow skins, the quinto still has the orignal skin (LP matador) which has more ringing overtones than my other skins. I might replace this skin later...but anyway...

My point? The highest note that I can get on the quinto (with good tone) is a B flat. So, then how to tune the lower two drums relative to that pitch? Well, I played around with various major and minor triad in various inversions (5/3, 6/3, 6/4), but they all sounded to sweet or sing-song.

After much experimenting, I have a combination that I like. As you do, I have a major 2nd between the quinto (B flat) and conga (A flat) and then the tumba at F natural. This give me a nice variety of intervals....see the combinations below:

B flat : A flat = Major 2nd => dissonant but not so rude as minor 2nd or tritone
A flat : F natural = Minor 3rd => consonant but not too sweet as Maj 3rd
B flat : F natural = Perfect 4th => consonant but more primative sound

So, that's my sound for now.

cjk



Edited By CongaCaja on 1083340901