bongobro
01-09-2008, 04:36 PM
I recently saw--and played--cajones for the first time. As a quick review for those who aren't familiar with them, "cajon" is Spanish for "box"--and in the early days of Afro-Cuban music, rumberos (musicians who played in jam sessions) didn't have congas readily available, and they made do with what was available (wooden crates, boxes, and even dresser drawers serving as drums, and spoons banging against skillets serving as another form of cowbell).
There are basically two types: A rectangular box with a sound hole on one side--and snares strung across the back of the other side. This type is played in a seated position, with the player sitting atop the box and drumming on the sides for various effects.
A second type, such as the CJ11, looks like a pyramid (minus its peak), turned upside down--click the link below to see it...
http://www.fatcongas.com/
The CJ11 is played as you would play a conga; according to the instructions, you hold it between your knees, with the top of the cajon even with your thighs (its square shape makes it easier to hold than a round conga!)
The CJ11 I played sounded like a cross between a traditional conga and a djembe (a flat-hand hit in the center produces the deep tone of a djembe; playing it in a conventional way--with the fingers about a third of the way between the rim and the center--produces a conga sound; slapping it on the edge produces a sharp slap-crack effect.
I liked that it was much lighter than even the lightest conventional conga I've played; it's easy to pick up and carry anywhere--you could even keep it in the car for an impromptu jam or a drum circle (a matching bag is available to keep it looking like new); and it didn't take long for me to play it as fast and as hard as I play my congas! Best of all, it sounded awesome--this one, pardon the pun, has some real cojones in its bass notes, plus authentic conga sounds and slaps!
Those of you who play cajones know they're fun to play--and now there's a new addition to the b-bro's percussion wish list...:ok:!
There are basically two types: A rectangular box with a sound hole on one side--and snares strung across the back of the other side. This type is played in a seated position, with the player sitting atop the box and drumming on the sides for various effects.
A second type, such as the CJ11, looks like a pyramid (minus its peak), turned upside down--click the link below to see it...
http://www.fatcongas.com/
The CJ11 is played as you would play a conga; according to the instructions, you hold it between your knees, with the top of the cajon even with your thighs (its square shape makes it easier to hold than a round conga!)
The CJ11 I played sounded like a cross between a traditional conga and a djembe (a flat-hand hit in the center produces the deep tone of a djembe; playing it in a conventional way--with the fingers about a third of the way between the rim and the center--produces a conga sound; slapping it on the edge produces a sharp slap-crack effect.
I liked that it was much lighter than even the lightest conventional conga I've played; it's easy to pick up and carry anywhere--you could even keep it in the car for an impromptu jam or a drum circle (a matching bag is available to keep it looking like new); and it didn't take long for me to play it as fast and as hard as I play my congas! Best of all, it sounded awesome--this one, pardon the pun, has some real cojones in its bass notes, plus authentic conga sounds and slaps!
Those of you who play cajones know they're fun to play--and now there's a new addition to the b-bro's percussion wish list...:ok:!