DRUMMER CAFE

I'm an amateur kit drummer who's thinking of switching to congas and I have a few questions.

1)  How rough will my hands be after a couple years of playing conga?  With proper technique, is it possible for a serious conga player to have enough dexterity left to play piano or guitar?

2)  What's the learning curve like?  If I already play kit drums, how long will it likely take to bring my conga playing up to a level where I can perform relatively simple stuff with a pop band (while accompanying a kit drummer)?

3)  Is a conga, played properly, too overwhelming for use in a drum circle?

4)  If I'm accompanying an unamplified drum kit, will the congas need to be amplified, or are they loud enough to be heard over a drum kit?

5)  If someone plays standing up, is that something that's done for show that actually makes playing more difficult, like when a guitarist has his guitar slung low?

6)  For quiet practice, does the conga have an equivalent to a practice pad?

For practice congas, there are these 2 options:

http://www.pearldrum.com/03_nuupdts/ppvideos.html
http://www.lpmusic.com/Product_Showcase/Whats_New/compact_conga_large.html

When you play with a kit drummer, you probably will need to be miked, unless the drummer hasa very light touch in a very small venue.  Alos, try to play "fill" more than basic beat keeping.  You can really make the band sound fat by carefully chosing your rhythm patterns to add fill. I play conga and guitar, no issues.  Standing is how I play at church, seated is usually how I practice...no issues.  Playing simple Tumbao will add alot to many pop songs.  If you use a third drum, you can make some very interesting and melodic patterns.

God bless!

-Ron