Month: November 2010
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How to Play Congas: Very basic technique, position and tones
“With out strong framework the house will collapse’. In this ‘follow along” video/ conga lesson we will begin to explore how to position your hands and also how to make basic sounds on the conga drum. This is part one. For more info go to: www.michaelpluznick.com Read More »
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Toca Elite Pro wood conga drum review
These are really nice , sweet sounding drums, and the finish is beautiful as well. They come as a set with a nice folding stand which is great if you are playing in a band. I also tried the Tumba which has a deep, rich bass tone. The drums come in a choice of two… Read More »
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Photos Buddhist statues and temple at Wat Lamphon Bangkok, Thailand 11/2010
This is a photo session I shot recently at a re visit to the famous Wat Lamphong temple in Bangkok. There are very beautiful Buuhist statues there as well as some incredible Asian architecture as well. Read More »
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Guinea djembe rhythms “Kuku” solo tech part one rear view and very slow
In this video I am playing the popular and social Kuku rhythm from Guinea (Guinee) West Africa where I lived and studied. These are solo techniques I learned from my various teachers in Africa and the USA including Hawaii, California and the east coast as well. Read More »
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Mali Sunu 4/4 rhythm: 2 drum dunun (dundun) part 1
In this video I am showing how to play the Mali style Sunu rhythm composition on two drums “ballet” style which means the drums are not sideways, they are standing up vertically. When I studied with my teachers, master drummer Aruna Sidibe and Brulye Doumbia they taught me this way. They can also be played… Read More »
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Mali Sunu rhythm solo techniques part one
In this video I am sharing and showing you the traditional solo patterns or “techniques” as many people call them for the Mali style Sunu rhythm arrangement as I learned it from my teachers Mali Djembe Master Drummer Aruna SIdibe & Brulye Doumbia while I was living and studying in Mali. Read More »
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Mali Sunu rhythm basic djembe part: fast-med-slow with click
This short “how to play” djembe lesson by Michael Pluznick features the basic Mali Sunu rhythm djembe part in fast, medium and very slow *(breakdown) tempo with a click track so you can see and hear where everything goes against the beat or pulse. Read More »
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Mali Sunu ensemble, djembe solos by Michael Pluznick, Ben Isaacs
Michael Pluznick solos on djembe and then Ben Isaacs expresses his incredible feel and techniques as well. This is a longer version then I originally posted on Youtube. This video lesson features an explanation of the meaning of Mali Sunu played with more of a 4/4 feel. We also will be showing you a version… Read More »
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Dununba Dance and Drum party in Guinee West Africa
This is from a Dununba community African drum and West African dance party I sponsored when I was staying and studying with the late, great teacher and master choreorgapher and percussionist Kemoko Sano (aka Komoko Sano) at his compound in Mervielles, Conakry, Guinee, West Africa a few years ago. Read More »
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Kuku djembe solo techniques part one
This is part one of the Kuku solo techniques shown here with the small ensemble with Wade Peterson on ballet style dununs (aka “djundjun” or “dundun”) , Ben Isaacs on support djembe and MIchael Pluznick on lead or solo djembe. Read More »
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The late Great Pello EL Afrokan, our teacher
In 1985 we traveled to Cuba to learn about Cuban culture, study the music and experience the Cuban lifestyle. We were young and looking for musical and cultural adventures . While staying at the hotel in Havana we met Pello el Afrokan in our lobby. We told him about our quest to study Cuban… Read More »
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All About Olodum
Several years ago we went to Brazil to study Afro Brazilian music and dance. We were fortunate to meet members and teachers from the famous group Olodum. It took me years, but I was finally able to get some video footage up of our trip there so here it is! But first a little bit… Read More »