What do you say when ......

[Djembe-nerd]

Someone tells you "Oh ! So you are playing these tribal drums" and doesn;t have the time or inclination to stand and listen your explaination where djembe comes from and how and why it is used.

[BobF]

That's better than people calling a djembe a bongo.. I seem to get that a lot... I try not to roll my eyes or give em a smart-ass response.

[Djembe-nerd]

I get that a lot too, I got an answer for that, bongo is the small cousin of this one, this one is the big daddy.

[Waraba]

That's better than people calling a djembe a bongo.. I seem to get that a lot... I try not to roll my eyes or give em a smart-ass response.

At least they know to use the word "bongo;" we're kind of in the same universe. What are some of your smart-ass responses? Would love to hear.

[dununbabe]

I dont say anything. If they're not interested, should I force them to listen? They'll be back when/if they are ready. Like a religion; do I want to hear about any other than my own? NO. So I dont make other ppl listen if they dont want to.

[e2c]

I dont say anything. If they're not interested, should I force them to listen? They'll be back when/if they are ready. Like a religion; do I want to hear about any other than my own? NO. So I dont make other ppl listen if they dont want to.

I hear you!

I've heard the word "bongo" used to describe many of the instruments I play (including my Middle Eastern drums) for... oh, well, at least since the early 90s.

At first, I tried to explain what I actually was playing, but I could tell that people really weren't all that interested.

So now I pretty much try to do what dununbabe does. It seems to work best for all concerned.

*

Edited to add: I think nomenclature for percussion instruments is kind of complicated, more so when instruments with non-English names come into the picture. It can be difficult for people to wrap their heads around, and I think many reach for the nearest "ethnic" description that comes to mind, which is usually "bongo." ( = some kind of hand drum.)

Afro-Cuban instruments are pretty mainstream nowadays; people will recognize them visually even if they don't know the names for them. So "bongo" stands in for all of them. (Which is, imo, why the word is used so frequently by Ebay sellers - to get hits on whatever it is that they're selling, no matter what it is or where it actually comes from.)

[bops]

My favorite was when someone stopped to ask if we were playing "percussive drumming".

[Waraba]

I think we should say, "This type of bongo is called a djembe."

[bubudi]

that's not a bongo!

this is a bongo!

[michi]

I think we should say, "This type of bongo is called a djembe."

I think you are in serious danger of losing some of your friends

Michi.

[Waraba]

I think we should say, "This type of bongo is called a djembe."

I think you are in serious danger of losing some of your friends

Michi.

Too late, man...

[the kid]

I don't give a shit what people think or call a drum.

Many a time i've been booked for a gig under the title of Samba drumming.
I can't go around and explain to every red neck the difference between a jembe and a bongo.
There both drums that you beat with your head and make funny noises

Now i'm of to bang my bongo. ..