Lap Bongo Cajon Hybrid
Three powerful drum faces in a lightweight and ergonomic package.
The lap Bongo Cajon Hybrid is a truly wonderful instrument to explore. With three tuned playing faces in a super lightweight shell with remarkable ergonomics. It’s a new voice that can be applied to a broad range of musical styles, with tone that belies its physical size. It has cracking slap tones, distinct tonal separation and harmonic complexity within each playing face. The applications for this instrument are endless.
suitable for people in wheelchairs and beds
three playing faces
easy to hold
No tuning required
Only 1.5 kg / 3.3 lbs
SDR Lap Bongo Cajon Hybrid
The SDR Lap Bongo Cajon Hybrid was initially designed as an adaptive instrument. The design grew out of a community-based commission to build seven instruments for the Mt Barker Council, called the Travelling Instruments Project.
I was trying to make a group of instruments to create opportunities for as many and varied people in the community to have a go. I made two instruments specifically designed to be ergonomically viable to be played in a youth's wheelchair.
The byproduct of that exploration was this immensely versatile little hand drum. Roughly the same diameter as a snare drum, they fit neatly into a snare stand and case.
Originally designed to be played on your lap and not have your shoulders around your ears, it turns out that they fit perfectly between your knees, too. I’ve prototyped several multi-faced lap instruments over the years, and without realising, this design completely nails the brief. I had no idea when I was designing them that this was the shape I’d been looking for for all this time.
Built around a dense shell, this instrument has great structural integrity. This is the key to why it has such great projection and tone.
The drum’s top face is a two-tone bongo; flip it over, and you have a single playing face with distinct sweet spots and expansive tonality.
The tone can be varied by blocking some or all of the sound holes when held between your knees.
