Bongo is a small version of drums. Actually it is a compilation of two open-ended drums. These two drums are joined with each other. Drum heads are normally made of animal skins, but plastic made drum heads are also available. The body is made of metal, wood and sometimes with ceramic also. Both the bongos are of different size. And for that reason each of them sounds different. You have to coordinate between both of them, to play it well.



A pair of simple bongos does not have those stretchable drum heads that can be tuned to play different notes from different parts. But the better quality bongos have this option. Their heads are adjustable. These heads are fixed firmly with metal made bars.

The way of playing bongos is very interesting. You have to use your finger strips, heel of your hand and thumbs. You need to strike the heads with the help of these hand parts. Striking different place of the head will produce different sound. Special drum oil is necessary to protect the head of the bongo. Otherwise your hand and the air will absorb all the moisture of the bongo skin. This will make the bongo skin dry. It can also pave way for cracks.

The best thing about bongo is that it is small, and not very much expensive. And if you know how to play it and if you have some friends who can play bongo, then you can form a band. If all of you play together some small groove then it will sound amazing.

Conga is almost like bongo. But it measures quite high in comparison to other drums. It is slim build and single headed. It is a Cuban drum but probably it is derived from Africa.

The shells of most of the congas are made of wood or fiberglass. The playing system of conga is almost like bongo. They are normally 75cm tall.

Congas are used in both popular and folk music. African music has a varied use of congas. This instrument is also very popular in Rumba, Afro Caribbean, Latin and salsa music.

Bongos and congas are almost similar kind of instrument. But former are smaller than latter. There sound is not totally similar but they are not that much different also.

Both are rhythm instruments. Their playing style is almost same. Both of them are very popular. They can be used in almost every kind of music.

But there are some difference between bongos and congas. Bongos are easy to carry. But congas are not. Both of them have a different look also. Congo just looks a bigger version of bongo usually. But if you watch closely and minutely, then you can trace the difference. But whatever is the difference is, it can be said that both bongos and congas are brilliant instruments. And both of them can change the way a particular song sounds.