The conga, like the palitos, is an ancient musical instrument not originating in Puerto Rico. The conga drum was adapted from Africa where it began as solid, hollowed out log with a nailed-on skin.
It took various shapes and sizes to vary its sound.
There are four different sizes of conga drums. The largest is called the tumba, and the smallest is called the niño. Some artists use a set of all four sizes.
The Chapman Stick is a fretboard instrument that is played piano-style, with the fingers of both hands tapping down onto the strings; with no picking or strumming. This technique leaves both hands free to play separate parts, the left hand playing the chords while the right hand plays the melody. The result is a huge sound with a rich, harp-like tone.
The Stick and the two-handed tapping technique were both invented by Emmett Chapman in the early 1970’s. Emmett’s astounding innovations have now enabled fretboardists the world over to reach an otherwise impossible musical potential.
About Mark
With only 10,000 Chapman Sticks worldwide, they are one of the most seldom seen and rarely heard instruments in the world.
With an elegant sound Mark White specializes in such music as Classical, Romantic, Celtic and Classic Rock.
Based out of Austin, Texas Mark White is one of the few Chapman Stick players in the world. Mark was first introduced to the Stick at the age of 12 by his music teacher Matt Rogers. Completely captivated by the sound, Mark eventually transitioned to the Stick full-time. At the age of 17 he and Matt Rogers formed a Chapman Stick duo called “Heartstrings”. Mark has been working as a full-time musician ever since.
