Tuning your instrument properly is one of the most fundamental aspects when learning how to play bongos. The bongos are often the highest pitched drums in an afro-cuban percussion section, and need to be tuned adequately in order to support, and at times cut through the section and band, to add their particular color to the overall sonic landscape. There are certain styles of music like the Changüi, or certain Funk or Afrobeat settings for example, where the bongo may be tuned extremely low, but for the purposes of this post, let’s focus on how to tune the bongos in the more modern style that is synonymous with various styles of Son-derived music. So grab your wrench, and your ears, and let’s get to work.
SIMPLE TIPS FOR THE SAAVY BONGO PLAYER
As with conga players, bongoceros have the option of choosing between synthetic or rawhide heads. Rawhide is a more dynamic material that constantly reacts to humidity in the air, and tends to have a warmer, rounder tone than your average synthetic head when tuned properly. Of course it also has its downsides, most notably that the tuning of your bongo drums can differ wildly from day to day (or hour to hour) if there are extreme changes in temperature and humidity. This can affect the feel and use of the instrument in a way that can be very frustrating.
A synthetic head has its own set of attributes and detriments. It will hold its pitch very consistently no matter the weather or humidity, meaning it’s great for gigs outdoors and will require less major pitch adjustments. The main downside, is that synthetic bongo heads often sound a bit less warm and “round” than rawhide. At times, a bongocero may opt for a synthetic head on the smaller “macho” drum while using a thicker, warmer sounding animal skin on the larger “hembra.” This is due in part to the fact that the macho tends to be tuned quite high in most situations and synthetic heads are able to hold these higher tension tunings, for longer periods of time without issue.
PITCH AND REGISTER OF THE BONGO
Bongo players can opt for a wide variety of pitches when tuning their drums. As with any tuning situation, personal preference, taste, and musical context will dictate over all, but there are some guidelines to keep in mind.
Generally speaking, the Hembra can be tuned somewhere between the C below Middle C and the F below middle C. While the macho is often tuned between the D above middle C and the C above middle C. Keep in mind that that the intervals between the drums vary greatly from player to player and style to style.
It’s also important to take into consideration the relationship between the hembra and other pitched drums in a percussion section (congas and timbales primarily but also drumset tom-toms for example) as the bongo’s hembra does have a discernible pitch which should not cover or conflict with the other drums. In a salsa context for example, its quite common for the bongo player to tune the hembra either between the two highest conga pitches, or at least a whole step above the highest conga, creating a clear melodic counterpoint.
ESSENTIAL TUNING GEAR FOR EVERY BONGO PLAYER
Now that we understand a bit about different heads, and some basic concepts for tuning the bongos, let’s get to work. First off, we’ll need to start with the right tools to get the job done. Most bongos come equipped with a wrench, which is tailored to fit the nuts and bolts that are responsible for tuning the drums. So whether you’re on your way to a bongo lesson or to play percussion in a concert, always do your best have your wrench with you, so you never show up empty handed. If you don’t have the factory provided wrench, you can use any adequate sized wrench in your home to tighten or loosen the tension rods, but stay away from those teethed wrenches or pliers, as both tools can damage your bongos drums or cause injury to your hands due to improper grip on the lug nuts.
HOW TO TUNE THE BONGOS IN 6 BASIC STEPS
Step 1: Choose either the hembra or macho to tune first. Most bongoceros concentrate on the macho first, since it often needs to be cranked up quite a bit, especially if the player has the (good) habit of releasing the tension and lowering the macho’s pitch after each playing session, a practice that can help lengthen the longevity of the head. Generally you’ll need to tune up the macho quite high, turning each tension rod an equal amount as you go. Often times there will be quite a bit of resistance as you get closer to an ideal pitch for the macho. It’s important not to force the tension too much as you may rip a rawhide head doing so.
Step 2: Making sure to tune each lug and tension rod evenly, tune in full or half circles. Move around the head diagonally meaning once you tune a lug continue to the lug directly across it, then to the right or left, and then across again. Keeping the tension as even as possible is crucial in order to help the head resonate as much as possible.
Step 3: Once you’re in the ballpark, you can tap the drum head just beside the tension rod with your fingers or wrench (gently) and listen to the higher harmonic frequencies above the fundamental pitch.
Step 4: Repeat Steps 2 and 3 with the hembra. Be sure to listen for the interval between the two drums, making sure each one is in an adequate register, and that there is a discernible intervallic distance between the two drums.
Step 5: Often times your bongo drum will continue to self adjust after you’re done tuning. So to avoid the pitch drastically changing, give a hefty strike in the middle of the drum with the palm of your hand, to force the drum head settle a bit, to make it easier to maintain the pitch.
Step 6: After you’ve performed Step 5 to help the drums settle, play a few more open tones slowly, listen closely to evaluate the pitch, make any micro adjustments you need to, and you’re good to go!
THE WRAP-UP
The more you practice tuning up a set of bongos the easier and more intuitive it becomes. There is nothing more satisfying than playing a well tuned instrument— your sound, fingers, and musicality will all benefit from the experience. It’s definitely worth taking the time to learn to tune properly as it makes a world of difference on the bandstand and in the studio. Even taking the time to get tuned before a bongo lesson will help your drums sound better, and help you better convey your musical intention to your teacher or fellow students.
Along with learning how to play the bongos with proper technique, learning different rhythms, and developing musicality by listening to and playing music, remember that tuning your drums properly for a particular musical setting is one of the most integral aspects of learning how to play bongos.
These of course, are just some loose guidelines to keep in mind. Ideally, what you want to do is listen to recordings of different genres, eras and players; and find tunings that you like, that compliment the musical situation that you're in.
Make sure to click the button below for a free preview of all of the lessons in both of our new Bongo Courses— including lessons on tuning, technique and so much more!