Tag: african

  • West African Inspired Dance Classes From Guinea In South Florida

    West African Inspired Dance Classes From Guinea In South Florida


    Isis Olmos is now visiting Florida. She is originally  from Mexico and  has lived and studied extensively in Guinea, West Africa with several of todays leading dance teachers and performance groups. She is in Florida now and we are forming classes and workshops through out the state. Isis is not only a gifted dancer but a… Read More »

  • New How To Play Djembe on line (downloadable) Djembe and West African drumming Lessons now available!

    New How To Play Djembe on line (downloadable) Djembe and West African drumming Lessons now available!


    My latest instructional series on how to play the djembe and west african drumming styles is now available for easy downloads at X8drums.com. This easy to follow tutorial series features easy to follow instructions, over the shoulder shots and special slow motion sequences to make your learning experience easier and fun! Please check it out… Read More »

  • Amazing Dancer, “Lasensua” from Canada to Maui and beyond!

    Amazing Dancer, “Lasensua” from Canada to Maui and beyond!


    I have had the great opportunity to know and to have been playing for Lasensua for over 20 years or more. I first met her on the Big Island of Hawaii. Lasensua has lived, studied & performed in many areas of the world. Her travels started in 1974, when she became immersed in Hawaiian culture… Read More »

  • 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 »

  • 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 »

  • 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 »

  • How to play African drums: Soko, Djembe and Dununs class


    Soko djembe drum and dunun rhythm from guinea west africa taught by Michael Pluznick for his international crew including friends from Japan, Europe, Mexico, USA and Thailand in Bangkok, Thailand. All around the world people love to play djembe and dununs, too. Soko is now a popular rhythm in Guinee (aka Guinea). Soko is a… Read More »

  • Memorial Day Weekend in Northern California: Carnaval 2010 and Mosswood Park, Oakland!


    Memorial Day weekend was beautiful and truly “memorial” with Carnaval 2010 in San Francisco  and also the well attended and amazing West African, Afro Cuban, Ewe (Ghana) and Brasilian (Brazilian) drum and dance party in Mosswood  Park, Oakland , California! [smooth=id:42;] Read More »

  • Respect in the drum and dance community


    We all go through changes in life. Learning to play drums and learning to dance can be a humbling experience. We have to surrender, we have to be open up. Often we are in awe of our teachers and we are vulnerable. Maybe we feel culturaley responsible for another cultures hardships. Maybe there is a… Read More »

Michael Pluznick