Michael Pluznick » Thought of the Day

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." [...]

“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 [...]

Why?

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:40:20 +0000

“Some People see things as they are and ask Why … I Dream things that never were and ask Why Not ” Robert F.Kennedy “

victory or defeat?

admin — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:04:48 +0000

You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it. - Maya Angelou -

Less is more!

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:30:50 +0000

-Fear less, hope more. Whine less, breathe more. Talk less, say more. Hate less, love more. Trip less, dance more……

Happiness

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:16:02 +0000

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss

Silence the inner critic

admin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:59:58 +0000

Silencing the inner critic.

For most of us when we are drumming , practicing and playing we are playing to an imaginary critic. Often this critic is saying, “you are not good enough”. I have learned over the years to simply not pay attention to the critic or whatever negative images or feelings that may come up while playing. Or we can be playing against someone who was at or in a playing situation. [...]

Daily practice tips

admin — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:10:42 +0000

A good friend and long time drummer recommends that students play every day. Some people think that means they have to sit around for hours at a time but he say’s even five minutes to connect with your instrument (in this case the djembe drum) makes all the difference in the world. You are building a relationship!

Another teacher from long ago, Les Lumley from the group, “Ghetto Mysticism” in Boston say’s, “if you [...]

Listening to learn

admin — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:18:23 +0000

Many drummers new to the art of djembe music think that they must play and participate in a drum circle, jam or dance class as a way to learn to drum. Most experienced players will tell you something different. By going to a djembe session or African dance class and sitting on the side watching you can learn much by listening, observing and even taking musical notes! By sitting outside of the music going [...]

Practice in front of a mirror

admin — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 07:39:21 +0000

By practicing in front of a mirror, you can correct mistakes in posture and form. It also helps you to see where you’re holding tension in your body and you can see if you’re making strange facial expressions (like me – for example in this YouTube video). Also, looking at your image in the mirror stops you from staring down at your hands, which is a common bad habit.