Latin-American Percussion Instruments Quiz

Answer: conga

The conga is a tall and narrow, barrel-shaped drum, traditionally used in Afro-Cuban music, like the Conga and the Rumba. It can also be found in some other rhythms, such as Cumbia, Merengue, and Punta. The conga line is a famous dance that many people do whenever they hear conga music.

The drum originated in Cuba, but it has influences from African culture. Originally, musicians would have just played a single conga drum, but innovations and changes in the drum's construction in the 20th century contributed to the increasing popularity for drummers to play two or three congas, instead of the traditional single drum.

Answer: True

The larger drum of the pair is called the "hembra", or female, while the smaller one is known as the "macho", or male drum. The pair of drums are small drums with open bottoms. Traditionally, the bongos would be placed between the legs, with the smaller "macho" on top against the thigh, and the larger "hembra" against the calf. Bongos originated in Cuba in the late 19th century, and are traditionally associated with Cuban music genres, such as the Son Cubano and Changui.

Answer: woven reed or grass

Erikundi are usually smaller than maracas, and, though they are shaken like maracas, the sound quality is different due to the different material used to make them. Erikundi are generally made from woven grass or reed, and they may have a leather or gourd bottom, while maracas are usually made from gourds.

The erikundi also has religious importance and is associated with rituals dealing with power, such as the Ekoria Itia Abakuá, which is celebrated in parts of Cuba.

Answer: pannist

The pannist, or penman, plays the steel drum, and may play solo or as part of a band. The steel pan is a type of idiophone, or any instrument whose sound is produced by the whole instrument vibrating. While modern steel drums are made of industrial drums that have been chromatically pitched, the steel pan's first incarnation was a bamboo stick, called a tamboo-bamboo.

Answer: Brazil

While it resembles a tambourine, the sound quality of the pandeiro is crisper and the tone doesn't last as long. It can traditionally be found in several Brazilian music genres, including Coco, Samba, and Capoeira. The pandeiro is a successor to the pandereta that was used in Spain and Portugal.

Answer: cajón

The word "cajón" translates to "box" in English, which references the drum's shape. Many players sit on top of the cajón and strike its front or rear surfaces with their hands, but they can also use other striking instruments like mallets or brushes. The cajón is used in the music of several different Latin American countries, but it can be traced back to 16th century Peru.

The other three instruments are all scraper instruments. A stick or brush is used to rub along the edges of the instrument to make sound.

Answer: hollowed tree trunk

The hollowed tree trunk is covered in animal skin with the fur still on it. This creates a deep sound, which is supposed to be heard a league away. The bombo can be found in Folkloric Argentine genres, like Chacarera and Zamba.

Answer: Andes

The hooves are attached to elastic or stretchable fabric and are then worn either on the ankle or the wrist. Traditionally, they are used in ceremonial dances and are often worn in pairs. They are represented in the music of several Andean countries, including Colombia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, and Bolivia.

Answer: False

While many Latin American percussion instruments have roots or predecessors in Africa, the rainstick is thought to have originated among the Mapuche people of South America. It gets its name from the belief that it could cause rainstorms to occur. Traditionally, rainsticks are made out of cacti that have been dried and hollowed, and small pebbles are placed inside so that when the rainstick is turned upright, it makes a sound similar to rain.

Answer: bass drum

Surdos are large drums, but they do come in a variety of sizes. In a carnival Samba, there are three different sizes of surdo used to play three distinct parts. While surdos can be made from a variety of materials, the preferred combination of materials in Rio is a lightweight aluminum shell with an animal skin head so that the instrument is lightweight with a rich sound.