How I do the Moose Call on the Conga Drums – Glissando Lesson
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This is how I do the Moose Call on the conga drums. It’s a short video lesson on how I get that elusive “moose call” sound out of a conga drum. It adds a new dimension (almost a voice) to your conga drum. I’m playing a set of LP’s Latin Percussion “Patato” congas with Evans synthetic conga heads. It also works on cowhide. It takes a few tries to master it, but once you do, you will love adding it into a riff, or enhancing a song’s flavor. A cool move for a song, or out at the drum circle. It …
25 Responses to “How I do the Moose Call on the Conga Drums – Glissando Lesson”
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Thanks for your constructive comments. I agree, it does shorten it a bit, & can sharpen it some also.
When I first tried the bees wax, I applied it too hard & the thicker film of wax ruined the glissando. I learned the hard way I should apply a very light thin coat of wax with a rounded chunk of it. (Kind of like I demonstrate in the video.) Just the slightest bit of wax will do. If it’s too thick it sounds like crap. And removing it is a bitch also! lol
well i tried the bees wax, thank you for the tip. It’s a lot easier to make the glissando with it. However it shortens the sustain of both the synthetic and rawhide skins i tried on. And it makes the glissando sound more sharp and dry. (just a personal opinion) Anyways, its very helpful for beginners. I wouldnt recommend it for ppl who are already able to do the glissando. Nice vid.
My pleasure. It was taught to me back in the 70’s. Just passing it along to fellow musicians. I think it’s important to share information, be supportive, and help each other out. When I first saw it, I was like, I gotta learn how to do that!
thx…….i always wanted to learn this
I got in the habit of using it too frequently, like after every chorus etc. So now I use the moose call more sparingly. As they say, “Less is more” sometimes.
I like to use the elbow slide also, that one is fun as heck. I love working that one in during a show.
Sometimes when I’m sitting and playing, I lift and lower the 11″ conga with my legs slightly to change the pitch. Takes some practice, but you get very dramatic pitch changes, and can do it during a riff. Peace!
LOL, I don’t think I need to use the call 20 + times in a show. I do use the elbow slide often. I tried the call 1 time last night in a show. I NEED WORK LOL
Do it man, it’s fun. Takes a little practice to find just the right amount of finger pressure to apply to get to sound clean and tight. It starts to burn your fingerprint off if you do it 20+ times at a gig etc. lol
Thanks I will try it
Quite a few drummers in the gospel circuit here in Atlanta do it.
Now that’s impressive! I sure would like to see that! I bet it gets a wow or two…
Our drummer at our church does it on his toms!!
Cool that you can do it on timbales!
I found that with the bees wax, I can work the Glissando in faster on my congas. Plus here in Florida we have the humidity to deal with, and it can still be done. Thanks for the kind words.
i usually just lick my finger.but it depends on wich heads.on some is easyer to do than other heads ,,i do this on my timbales too..but i will try the wax one of these days..nice video thanks.
is good
Thank for your for typing
Brilliant. Cracking Video Man.
Try Using The Glissando In New York Mosembique.
Sounds Great.
I’ve been playing Congas since the age of 9
and I didn’t even no about the Bees wax.. Thanks for the tip….
“From a Master Congero”
Peace,
“Las Manos
i love meese. they are gorgeous creatures. yeah, you SHOULD try a cow call, lol.
Great job. I wanna c if i can do it 2!!! haha
-moosesrmeeses
you are the master of the moose call…, you should call Giovanni Hidalgo.., to give him some private lessons.., private moose calling lessons papa! festejo! arriba negro! comunicate! mandinga, quiquiri boo! saoco! frapata! issac delgao! agua! ayi na ma! cara de crimen!
Thanks, I can do it a little now. However with the bees wax, I should be alot better.
thanks for this man….soon im gonna buy conga drums! its gonna be cooool!
alot of rude comments, he is just sharing something to people who havent discovered it yet, i am just starting the congas after a few years of bongos behind my belt, i wouldnt let those people get you down, i bet there all masters of the congos
, thanks though thats a really cool trick, ill try to work it into a beat, THANKS,
pat
LoL =)
It ain’t cheatin’ It’s a trade secret. Beeswax does make it easier, plus you can work it into a riff faster if you don’t have to go finger to mouth to get one during a song.
And there is also the sanitary issue. There is probably a few germs on those conga heads. A virus can live for 3 days on a surface.
I never was able to get a good call on any kind of djembe head. Just sounds like a rippin’ fart.
Sorry to let you down, I’ll get to work on that Cow Call next. It could come in handy for cow tipping.
LoL
Guys,
Thanks for all the insight, and background on this vibrating sound made with the conga. Obviously, I’m not a master congero nor do I claim to be. I am just passing this on as I learned it years ago from a close Puerto Rican friend – Moose call
It is for the benefit of others who haven’t figured out how to do it yet. Because regardless of anyone’s skill level, this is a cool sound to add rather than just slappin’n out a beat. And I suppose it does help a medicore player sound better.