112 !!Chapter 6
Bongo Drums
!!Thehembra(female)
bongo is lower pitched than
themacho(male) bongo,
which is pitched higher.
Many Latin bongo players
also play the cowbell.
Bongo drums are essentially high-pitched
conga drums. Bongos are assembled as
two drums that are held together with
metal. Each drum can be tuned individu-
ally. Bongos played along with conga
drums create an exceptional blend.
Bata Drums
Bata drums are similar to conga drums.Oconcolois the small drum,itotele
is the medium-sized drum, and theiyais the large drum. They are tunable,
and many use buffalo hides for the drumhead. Batas are played with both
hands.
Cowbells
Cowbells (taken from bells worn on cows’ necks) are made of metal and
played with a small stick. They are a fundamental part of the Caribbean-
Latin rhythm section. It is traditional to play syncopated rhythms that help
to form the rhythmic foundation of a groove.
Go-Go Bells
Go-go bells are, in essence, high-pitched cowbells and are played with a
small stick. The parts are traditionally syncopated.
Shakers
Shakers are made in numerous sizes and shapes. They are usually made
of gourds (a hard-skinned fruit) filled with a substance, such as beans or
rice. Shakers are usually played by ‘‘shaking’’ a rhythm pattern that fits
within a groove; they are also used to create a tonal color, as in film scores.
A maraca is an example of a shaker.
Cabaza
A cabaza is a shaker-like instrument. It is a round piece of wood that is
surrounded with bead-like metal strips and has a wooden handle. The
cabaza is played by holding the instrument in one hand and rubbing the
metal, in a rhythmic pattern, against the opposite hand. The effect is the
same as that achieved with a shaker but sounds more metallic.