Tuning and relationship to song key

[studio7conga]

I've done my searching and found plenty on the "correct" notes for tuning but not much on whether or not congas played in a pop-rock-acoustic setting should be tuned in relation to the key of the song. In my somewhat limited experience I've found that if the groove fits the song, tuning for the key is less important. However, I'd be interested to know others experience with this.
Best,
studio7conga

[Thomas Altmann]

In studio recording, I make my congas fit the key, or the tonality, of the respective piece of music, however without actually picking the tonic or any specific interval from it. I think it makes a big difference in the finish of the production, and it's worth the "pain".

In a live situation I don't bother with that. Usually there are other problems or categories that determine whether and how you (re-)tune your drums. I also wonder how I should get my congas in tune with one number, and then re-tune it for the next that might be in a different key. Doesn't make sense to me.

Regards, Thomas

[Jerry Bembe]

If you plan to tune in this manner then I reccomend to tune your drums 5 - 15 cnets sharp with a digital tuner. This way when the sound is mixed, your drums will not be lost in the harmony with the other instruments.

I play marimba as well and the marimba is tuned 5-7 cents sharp for the same reason. This way the tuning is complimentry without getting lost in the harmony.

A tuning I have used to play with the keys of C and G is: G, C, E, G.
A tuning I have used to play with the keys of D and A is: A, D, F#, A.

I have only experimented with these tunings but I have found this to be both frustrating and rewarding.

[studio7conga]

what do you mean by 5-15 cnets sharp? is that not a "standard" C, for example? have you found a good digital tuner to use with congas?
thanks,
studio7conga

[Jerry Bembe]

what do you mean by 5-15 cnets sharp? is that not a "standard" C, for example? have you found a good digital tuner to use with congas?
thanks,
studio7conga

I use an old Korg digital tuner. It has a built in microphone but it works better with a quality mic plugged in the 1/4 inch jack. I also use my son's Boss digital tuner in the same manner with an external mic. The type of tuner to use is an auto-ranging tuner that will detect the value of the note automatically. When reading the meter, 0 cents is perfect tune and the tuning range for "in tune" is +/- 5 cents. The meter scale is in cents.

I have built a 3 1/2 octave poplar wood marimba with 4" wide poplar keys (scrap from a construction site) with the Korg. I also have found the sympathetic frequency of my congas with the Korg as well. I have found that when I tune my congas to the shell's sympathetic frequency that I have the best tunings possible for the shell. To find the sympathetic frequency, I detune the head or have the head removed and I thump the shell bottom on my hardwood floor. After several tests, I find the average value of the shell's thumping. A shell with C sympathetic frequency could be tuned to the Key of C and a relative Key with C. The shell is best tuned to C, E, Eb, F, F#, G, A and B, the rest is upto the head.

When tuning with a digital meter, you will find that harmonics and relative notes will read out. For example when tuning to C, I will read C, E and G but C will be the domanant value. Tuning to D I often read D domanant but F# and A will flash as I approach D. This is because the harmonics created by the drum and its tuning.

Tuning in this manner, will allow you to play a set of congas that will create harmonics in addition to the notes played on the drums. A set will be sympathetic to each other when tuned to the same key like D (A, D, F# & A). If other drums are added to this that do not fit the key, then dissonance will take away from the over all sound. Notes a 1/2 step and 1 step apart played at the same time will create dissonance (F and F# or A and B). Ther needs to be an interval like a cord between the drums being played together for this to work out best.

In the end you let your ears decide what sounds best.

[vxla]

Just to clarify: most modern marimbas are tuned to A=442 (whereas pop musicians may stick to A=440 or A=441). Anything more than that would put the instrument very out of tune with other acoustic instruments.

[Jerry Bembe]

Just to clarify: most modern marimbas are tuned to A=442 (whereas pop musicians may stick to A=440 or A=441). Anything more than that would put the instrument very out of tune with other acoustic instruments.

The marimba is tuned in this manner so it will not get lost in the harmony with other instruments.

A conga tuned at A 445 still sounds fine. The digital meter with the congas is not 100% exact anyhow.

[vxla]

I don't mean to argue here, but there are no grounds to prove keyboard instruments are tuned to A=442 for the reason that you mention. The trend of orchestras tuning to A=442 is a newer trend (only in the past 50-60 years) in order to give the orchestra a "brighter" sound. A good reference (with fairly accurate information, at least as far as Wikipedia goes) is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concert_pitch Tuning pitch is not a wrench to fix poor musical ensemble balance. Gilberto Serna of Century Mallet in Chicago now delivers all instruments (re-tuned or refurbished) as A=442. Most manufacturers also deliver new instruments this way, although A=440 or A=441 is still available. Hearing A=442 is very noticeable when playing in a percussion section with another instrument at A=440. Remember, that's two "beats" per second in the sound waves.

[Anonimo]

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

[Jerry Bembe]

I agree that Congas have some tone deaf properties but it is not entirely tone deaf as an instrument. When I play a conga I hear a tone. Yes, the body of the conga has alot to do with this tone but the head has a part in this as well. I understand there many different viewpoints on this. The tone deaf view point is an old out of date view that "dumbed down" percussionists. In the old days players of bands often looked down on drummers.

Congas can be tuned to complement or create dissonance. This means that if drums tuned to C and D are played at the same time, there would be a canceling effect between the tones. If a drums tuned to C and G are played at the same time, there would be a harmonous effect between the tones.

Tune your drums as you please and enjoy this gift from God.

Peace

[bongosnotbombs]

Miguel Anga plays Round Midnight on 7 drums tuned to perfection.

[Anonimo]

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

[bongosnotbombs]

0:42 seconds

I think Anga uses the gloves to keep his hands from heating the skins and changing their pitch, but that is just a guess.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww6Ih8VIhXw

[Anonimo]

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

[vxla]

Sure, the congas can be tuned to some semblance of a specific note. It's an approximation of a specific pitch, but the fundamental note is only slightly more prominent than other partials in the overtone series. Much like timpani, there are many variables that depend on the quality of the specific note one is able to achieve on the drums. However, you'll never get as true of a pitch as you will with other tuned drums (roto-toms, timpani, etc.).