well, if the percussionist is trying to be heard, he could always try getting miked. ha ha. but seriously though, it truly is all in the technique because i saw a percussion clinic and he was a master conguera. he was playing the congas and a shakere and a florr cowbell on a gajate bracket and you could hear congas extremely well even with the music that was accompanying him. it is all in the hand technique. as for the hands after a performance, for me, my hands don't hurt as much as itch. they feel raw and most often, a small bottle of lotion can be your best friend.