All great drummers work on developing skills every day. It’s what makes them great. I’m talking about the things that establish the essential foundation for playing drums -- the drumming...

The percussion sections of Afro-Cuban ensembles do not traditionally include drum set. These ensembles often feature bongo, congas, timbales, and small hand percussion like maracas and guiro....

Conga drums are at the center of Afro-Cuban music both on the stage and in the street. It’s an instrument that embodies the mixing of cultures from Africa to the Caribbean, North America, and the...

If you play well and you know how to tune drums, the rest is all gravy. Great drums, microphones, and mixing techniques will improve your sound, but if the drums aren’t tuned well, you’re not a...

The tumbao rhythm is one of the fundamental patterns for congas. Learning how to play tumbao on congas is critical for players who want to level up their drumming. Conga tumbaos incorporate...

Desi Arnez is likely the reason why the Afro-Cuban tumbadora is called a “conga.” He popularized the conga drums through song titles based on the dance of the same name. But it’s more than just...