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Posted:
Thu Jun 29, 2006 6:09 pm
by congamyk
Sometimes the tips of my fingers split after a few hours of playing.
This is especially the case in winter weather.
Does anyone use tape? If so, what brand is best? Thanks.
Edited By congamyk on 1151633610

Posted:
Thu Jun 29, 2006 6:20 pm
by yoni
Hey Congamyk,
I use tape only sometimes, when I know it's going to be a "marathon" on congas. I find white cloth surgical tape is best, or good cloth band-aids, not plastic ones that don't let the skin "breathe".
My fingers also sometimes split after hours of hard conga playing. I just about swear by a cream called "Corn Husker's Lotion", found in many U.S. pharmacies. I wish they had it here! The stuff worked wonders for me, totally preventing hand and finger skin from splitting. Has glycerin in it and other stuff, I guess. Once here I found pure glycerin at a pharmacy, but it wasn't as effective as that Corn Husker's Lotion.
Good luck and all the best!
Yoni

Posted:
Thu Jun 29, 2006 6:57 pm
by JohnnyConga
Hi Mike .. I use Nexus bandaides, after much experimentation I find them to be the best for comfort and flexibility. I use the 1 inch only, not the 3/4. I never use tape....."JC" Johnny Conga....PS..I have also been experimenting with "gloves".....ummmmm :;):

Posted:
Thu Jun 29, 2006 8:08 pm
by congamyk
Thanks, this is very helpful. I will check out the special lotion and the 1" Nexus bandaids.
Gloves" ?!... JC you are the conga scientist!
Edited By congamyk on 1151700729

Posted:
Fri Jun 30, 2006 1:04 am
by JohnnyConga
yes in the Lab all day long..... :p "JC" Johnny Conga

Posted:
Fri Jun 30, 2006 2:07 am
by OneDrumBum
Hey JC!
I heard about a mysterious conga player's glove once but everyone I talk with Knows nothing about it.
Do you know where I can get a pair? Tell me more about them...
Also great topic conga Myk, When my fingers split I too use a bit of cloth tape. And at night I apply Gold Bond medicated lotion, (only one application at night, no more than that, so my hands don't get too soft) Then I wake up in the morning and the skin on my hands seem to be good to go for some
early mornin tumbadorin!
You guys Groove,
Matt

Posted:
Fri Jun 30, 2006 1:20 pm
by akdom
Hi all
My fingers don't split, but sometimes after hours of playing, especially when playing with a drummer, the fat part of my middle finger gets hard and hurts a bit for a few days.
I just use regular tape that they use in hospitals to hold bands and badages. It is white, about half inch wide and has like a teeth design on the side to be cut easily.
It is soft, easy to apply, sticks like crazy and doesn't alter the sound at all.
This is the only thing I use. I was never as lucky as Johnny with band aids... they last about 30 seconds and end on the bass player's hair...
B
Edited By akdom on 1151673659

Posted:
Fri Jun 30, 2006 4:52 pm
by JohnnyConga
There is even a "technique" in bandaging your fingers...i know I saw Mongo do it many times...now that I no longer have any "cartiledge" in my hands i have to tape my fingers, so as to keep them from fracturing, I still hit very hard as I always have, and will continue as always...."JC" Johnny Conga.... 

Posted:
Fri Jun 30, 2006 4:54 pm
by JohnnyConga
Welcome OneDrumBum....you will learn a lot here ...don't be shy...ask whatever you want....we have Great players and Great musicians here.....tell us a bit about urself....peace.."JC" Johnny Conga.. 

Posted:
Fri Jun 30, 2006 6:40 pm
by ABAKUA

Posted:
Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:15 am
by mjw
In the UK I managed to get some Elastoplasts where one 'end' was longer than the other - ie like a regular elastoplast with extra tape. To be base, they stick like sh** to a blanket.
I don't normally need to tape up, but was on a tour last year doing two shows a night - I needed a little protection after the third show and these did the job nicely.

Posted:
Sat Jul 08, 2006 3:50 am
by Sakuntu
My hands always split in the winter becuase the air is so dry. I use either pure lanolin or a product called "bag balm". They sell it at farm stores-its meant for cow udders that get chapped when milking! :laugh:...I've also heard good things about the corn huskers lotion but haven't gotten around to trying it yet.
Sakuntu