Tuning Question? - Tuning

[Chuman]

I'm getting ready to incorporate a 3rd drum into my conga set (a tumba) and I'm having some difficulty understanding the proper tuning for three drums.
Any help is really appreciated!
Thanks

[CongaTick]

Chuman,

There is a wealth of "tuning" threads with very specfic tips on this fourm that are available with a search. The bottom line for many congueros however, involves personal taste based on the style of the music you'll be playing and the instrumental mix you'll be part of.

[Chuman]

Thanks
I tried searching for tuning, but really didn't find what I was looking for.
I tracked down the information, I needed though.
I was getting a little lost among the root chord/inverted root chord/triad/perfect 5th etc.
I play in a duo with a flamenco guitarist/singer and am pretty new to music.
(Doing what sounds good, but not having and training or education in music or music theory/structure.)
It seems to be working, since were playing dinner houses, having fun and making a few dollars doing it.
I'm working on moving from being basically a timekeeper to playing more melody.
And exploring the wonderful world of the Conga.

[CongaTick]

That's it!

[trickyricky]

WELCOME CHUMAN!!
I tune my 3 to the old standard "here comes the bride". All 3 notes are there. HERE (G?) is Tumba, COMES THE BRIDE (C?) is conga, BIG is Tumba again, FAT (not sure of note)is quinto, AND WIDE is conga again. That tuning works for what I have been playing lately.
Peace,
rick

[whitemanplay]

I tune mine to the last line of mary had a little lamb "flease was white as snow" conga,conga..... quinto ..... conga..... tumba. And your sure to hear if one is off. this works for me might for you to.

If your not sure where and which to start, go with the tumba or quinto loosen it up then start from scratch, tune up till it sounds nice and healthy and clear toned, then tune the rest to mach that one.

Unless you wanna get in a spacific set of notes with them this works for me.

[Chuman]

Thanks everyone

My tumba should be arriving in a couple of days

I've tuned the conga to G and the quinto to A
and will start the tumba with C

We'll see how that works and take it from there.

I appreciate your help
and will let you know what happens

[jorge]

I often tune 3 drums to the opening coro of "Malanga Amarilla" from Cachao's classic descargas album. (ma=tumbadora, langa 'ma=tres dos, rilla=quinto)
The actual notes are A, C, and D, but to me the intervals are more important than the actual notes (minor third then a whole step higher, someone correct me if I am wrong, my music theory is REAL rusty). On that song, Tata's 2 drums are at A and C, but you can modify the notes to match the chord structures of many of the songs your group plays, so the drums don't sound too dissonant to the music. This tuning is pretty closely spaced, but I like the sound. For rumba, many of the more modern groups tune the quinto much higher, especially for rumba columbia or real fast guaguanco. The higher quinto feels quicker, although I think a closer spaced quinto integrates better with the other 2 drums, like old Conjunto Guaguanco Matancero or Alberto Zayas with Giraldo Rodriguez on quinto.



Edited By jorge on 1158552580

[Amber]

Hi ,

to be on the safe side one could also use the classical 3 accord, I mean the intervalls of this accord.
For examlple : C E G
If you start on the lowest drum you go up 2 intervalls what is a normal terz I believe. From there you go up 1 and 1/2 tone what is a minor terz. Or you turn it to E G C and than you have the classical minor quart between conga and quinto. But anyway, this will always harmonize in itself.

Hope this helps.
Best regards,

Amber

[Chuman]

Thanks Amber and all...
In fact this was the tuning I used.
I then did some minor adjustments with the Conga and Quinto (by ear) to what sounded better to me and what seems to fit better with the music we're playing.
We've got a few gigs coming up in the next couple of weeks, and I only use the two drums on those as I get more proficient with incorporating the third.
My gig set up already includes the Congas, Cajon, Cymbals, Chimes, Tambourine and Shakers
Its not like I don't have enough stuff to bang on and rattle (LOL)