Latin Percussion Mini Tunable Conga Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This drum (can it really be called a conga at this size? let's just stick to drum...)
is a real instrument. The construction of the shell and the quality of the head,
hoop and tensioners all indicate that this is not a toy -- it's meant to be played.
But you should know that this a very small drum -- the head diameter is about
3 1/2". So it can't really be played like a conga, especially in terms of getting
any kind of a bass note with the palm of your hand (the palm of your hand
practically covers the entire head). But for what it is, it sounds great. As a finger
drum, it sounds more like something from South Asia than from South or Central
America. Very nice ring tone. I like this drum a lot, but mostly just to fool around
with. I can't imagine it being very useful as an accompaniment to anything other
than maybe a single acoustic guitar, and I can't really imagine it being part of a
larger percussion ensemble. But as a "apartment drum", it's great!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Latin Percussion Mini Tunable Conga

Get 44% OFF

Click here for more information about Latin Percussion Mini Tunable Conga

Read More...

Kalimba Thumb Piano, Coconut Shell, 7 Keys Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The previous reviewer is right. I've made my own kalimbas or thumb pianos from things around the house - they aren't that hard to make. But this is a good price for a kalimba with a good sound and simple number of keys.
The rewards from playing this instrument are phenomenal when just played with for an hour or two. It seems like it would be a waste of time, but it isn't. You'd be amazed at how fast an hour goes by while plucking the keys in singles and in pairs. The angels will indeed sing you into a much more relaxed and contemplative mood.
Whether you play in the morning to set you at ease before going to work, or play before bed time to set you in the right mood for dreaming, this "toy" is a very powerful mood altering drug. Use it in excess, safely, knowing that the only harm it might do you is sore thumbs and the occasional cracked thumbnail. The benefits are endless.
Eight keys is a minimum. More is better. But any number of 8 or more keys should give you at least one scale to play with.
Aim for a medium pluck - not too hard, and not too soft. Hard makes for harsh noise, but medium plucking will not wear you out and will produce a nice sound. Play the keys beside each other together for variety, or in quick succession as your thumbnail falls off one then the other. It's a fun instrument to experiment with. Have fun getting high on sound and your imagination.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kalimba Thumb Piano, Coconut Shell, 7 Keys

Click here for more information about Kalimba Thumb Piano, Coconut Shell, 7 Keys

Read More...

Thumb Piano, Large Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been playing the Hugh Tracey Kalimba for many years.
I bought a Mid East Kalimba from eBay.
It was advertised as a Hugh Tracey Kalimba and came
in an old Hugh Tracey box. I thought I had gotten a good deal.
In the picture it looks exactly the same.
The first thing I noticed different was the paint on the tines.
It was a more of a translucent color. I thought it had been
repainted (and kind of a sloppy job at that).
The next thing I noticed, as soon as I took it out the box
was that it was a much heavier wood. It did not have the light
feel of the Hugh Tracey models which are made from an exotic,
resonant Kiaat wood. This thing was thick.
It looked very pretty though.
The big disappointment came when I started to play the instrument.
First off, it was out of tune. I had a rough time trying to tune
this beast. With the Hugh Tracey models, I just wiggle the tines
side to side or use a coin to push the tines.
The tines don't move easily on this Mid East Beast... Damn!
Unless you know what you are doing, you won't be
able to get this thing in tune. It's very difficult.
After fighting with it for almost an hour, I finally got it tuned.
The sound is OK but kind of tinny (if that's a word).
It doesn't have the full, deeper sound of the Hugh Tracey.
It's probably because the tines are thicker.
It doesn't have the mellow tamber nor maintain the sustain.
I also notice the edges of the tines are not smooth.
It's a little rough on your thumbnails.
You probably should sand them down some to smooth it out.
All in all, it looks pretty but not much fun to play.
I would never buy another one
(and wish I could get my money back).
You'd be much better off with a Hugh Tracey Model.
They come tuned, don't scratch your thumbnails
and give you a much fuller, more mellow sound.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Thumb Piano, Large

Click here for more information about Thumb Piano, Large

Read More...