Bongos Drum: Barbados musical instrument

Bongos are Afro-Cuban percussion musical instrument, the drums has different size, the larger drum is called hembra (female) while the smaller drum is called macho (male) in Spanish language. These are membranophones that produce sound by a vibration of the forceful extended membrane.

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The bongo has its root from the eastern region of Cuba called “oriente” in the 19^th century. The bongos that were used in changüí, also known as bongó el monte are larger and tuned lower than their fellow modern counterparts. They also have tact-head instead of tunable hardware and play in a way that is similar to rumba quinto. Bongos are used in a related Cuban musical genre that is known as ‘son.’ This musical instrument came to Cuba at the 20^th century when son migrated to the capital city of Havana. With the arrival of the son montuno in the later part of 1930s, the bongo players started playing a large hand held bongo bell during the chorus section of their songs.

The bongo drum gives out comparatively high-pitched sound compared to Women’s drums and should be held behind the knees using a large drum on the right when right-handed. The musical instruments are often played by hand but when it is used in the art music compositions they are usually struck with drum sticks. They are played traditionally by striking the edge of the drumhead with the fingers and palm of the hand or sticks. The glissando used with the bongo de monte is done by the process of rubbing the third finger which is supported by the thumb across the head of the drum, and the finger can sometimes be moisture with sweat or saliva before rubbing it across the drum head. The drums can also be kept on a stand as the player is playing it, as is the case with the concert orchestras and bands.