Michael Pluznick » Tips

Who wants to play dununs and what is a djembe solo?

admin — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:24:08 +0000

In all my years playing, studying and teaching West African rhythms and percussion I have always come across an interesting and challenging situation. It is really hard to find people, that is to say djembe players, other fellow percussionists or drum students who want to learn the dunun patterns, individual traditional dunun parts and or ballet arrangements on 2 or 3 dununs or more. dununs are also known as djun djuns, doun douns or [...]

There are many kinds and types of djembe and African drum rhythms

admin — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 17:20:42 +0000

Let’s face the facts. Until Mamady Keita arrived in the USA we were playing djembe ass backwards. For example, Mandiani was more often then not being played backwards as Soli, (Donba in Senegal) or visa versa. We were doing the best we could at the time as there was very limited resources available in the late 70′s and very few instructors as well. It was prior to the internet and consumer cmcorders were still [...]

Becoming a drummer, “where do I fit in” some tips on finding balance

admin — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:39:14 +0000

Maybe you are a beginer or perhaps you have been drumming a while. A challenge or problem that we all face at one time or another in our drumming life is "where do I fit"? What is the type of music I really want to play and who are the people that I want to play with or learn from? Do I want to freestyle or play traditional music? [...]

Introducing the new MP Eco Pro 12″ and 13″ wood djembe drums

admin — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 05:14:49 +0000

After field testing and working closely with the Drum Factory and Ed Balma in Ubud, Bali for over a year we now have two new beautiful prototype MP Eco Pro wood djembe models ready for the market, a 12 " and a 13" (6ocm and 65cm) ! They will be distributed in the USA by X8. It's been a long and windy road bringing these drums to fruition but here they are. [...]

some good advice

admin — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 03:20:50 +0000

"The courage to meet and talk with people is absolutely crucial. Choosing dialogue is itself the triumph of peace and humanity." (Daisaku Ikeda) [...]

Good Poetry

admin — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 07:28:02 +0000

"Good poetry makes the universe admit a secret: 'I am really just a tambourine. Grab hold, play me against your warm thigh." [...]

Back to basics part one, “where is the one” in West African djembe music?

admin — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 07:36:39 +0000

Drumming to me, especially drumming from the African diaspora is about learning and always playing basics, or “fundamentals”. If you have ever read any of my articles, you may have noticed me saying, “with out the framework the house will fall down”. Like any other musical instrument you have to practice regularly. No matter what stage you are in in your drumming career or hobby, be it pro or amateur it is always important [...]

“No matter where you are in life there is always more journey ahead” Nelson Mandela

admin — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 05:16:27 +0000

"No matter where you are in life there is always more journey ahead" Nelson Mandela [...]

Dealing with complainers at drum jams

admin — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 03:23:03 +0000

Before coming to a drum circle, drum lesson or class please leave your personal baggage at home. The music scene or drum jam is not the place to bring your personal issues. Please resolve your issues or complaints outside and away from the drums or drum scene.

Many beginners unaware of how beginning they are feel it is their unalienable right to discuss their needs or feelings in the middle of a music session [...]

Top 10 do’s and dont’s at a drum circle, drum jam or party

admin — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 05:32:06 +0000

If you are walking into an unkonwn situation be it a drum circle, drum jam, party or a dance class here are some general guidelines of etiquette to follow. They may seem pretty simple and you may or may not agree with them. But if you follow them you will have a much more harmonius experience then if you don’t, and you will also make it a lot easier on other drummers or players [...]

Surviving drum circles and dance classes, intensity and dynamics.

admin — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 09:52:03 +0000

One of the many problems of playing in drum jams, especially on outside or without microphones, is hurting your hands and playing too loud. Just to hear yourself play is often a struggle. The problem is that each person, in his or her own struggle to be heard usually plays as loud as he can. By the time the lead player comes in and plays, the volume is often at ear-rattling levels. It does [...]

Coming Soon! Toca Stage Series Pro wood djembe. Review and long term test by Michael P

admin — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:07:55 +0000

On a recent trip to Ubud, Bali Indonesia to visit the Bali Treasures company, also known as the Drum Factory I was able to get my hands on the new Toca Stage Series Pro wood djembe for a long term test. This is the factory that makes them for the Toca in USA. Not only that, I was able to pick which drum I wanted to get! [...]