The Best Salsa Music Instruments In The UK

Congas

Narrow, tall, and single-headed, the drums known as congas developed in Cuba, where they were originally used in Afro-Cuban music. They’re also known as tumbadoras.

Bongos

Bongos are a pair of small, open-bottomed drums that developed within Afro-Cuban musical traditions.

Bass

Most modern Son Conjunto ensembles use a bass guitar rather than a double bass to create that famous salsa groove.

Piano

The piano (or keyboards) often makes appearances in Son Conjunto ensembles.

Trumpet

Two or three trumpets usually comprise the horn section in salsa ensembles. Find the best Bb, Eb, C, Piccolo, and plastic trumpets right here at Dawkes. We also carry a full range of spare parts, maintenance essentials, and more.

Trombone

Some ensembles prefer to use trombones instead of trumpets in their horn section. You’ll find tenor, valve, bass, alto, and plastic trombones, as well as all the care and maintenance and other essentials you need, at Dawkes.

Saxophone

Some salsa ensembles include saxophones in their horn section. If you’re looking for an alto, soprano, tenor, or baritone saxophone, or for mouthpieces, reeds, ligatures, cases, stands, or other accessories, you’ll find plenty to choose from in store and online.

Are you a beginner? Hire an alto or tenor sax from Dawkes from approximately £30 per month. Alternatively, take a look at our other Saxophone options, such as sopranino, soprano, and baritone saxophones.

Handheld Percussion

A characteristic element of the sound of salsa music is thanks to handheld percussion. The most common instruments include the pair of wooden sticks called claves, the rattles better known as maracas, and the notched, hollow gourd called the güiro.

Timbales

Also known as pailas, timbales are single-headed shallow drums with a metal casing. Players may strike the head or the shell of the drum.

Flute

The flute, one of humanity’s oldest instruments, is a regular feature in Charanga salsa ensembles. If you’re looking for a flute, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect instrument for you at Dawkes. We stock flutes in C, alto flutes, piccolos, bass flutes, and plastic flutes. If you’re not sure the flute’s the instrument for you, why not rent one from us for a few months?

Strings

String instruments including the viola, violin, and cello also are included in salsa ensembles that use the Charanga format.