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The instruments of a salsa band

3.The hand drums

These drums are played with bare hands. Where and how the hand hits the skin changes the sound.

  • A pair of red wooden congas on a stand

    Congas

    Tall, barrel-shaped drums. The basic pattern mixes a sharp slap on beat 2 with two ringing open tones on beat 4 and the “&” after it.
  • A pair of wooden bongó drums joined together

    Bongó (martillo)

    A pair of small drums joined together and held between the knees. Its steady pattern is the martillo (“hammer”): a stroke on every eighth note, mostly quiet, with a sharp slap on 1 and 3 and a ringing open tone on beats 4 and 8.
ListenQuimbaraCelia Cruz & Johnny Pacheco · 1974Celia Cruz's signature hit. Listen for the congas and the bongó locking together, and for the drum break where they take over.