Tag: bongos

  • About the bongo

    About the bongo


    Over the years, many people have reached out to me seeking to learn how to play bongo drums. However, most of them lack a solid grasp of the basics of playing congas and often don’t realize they need to learn conga drums and clave first. Although bongos are traditional solo instruments in Latin band forms,… Read More »

  • Developing Your Talent On Djembe, Congas And Bongos

    Developing Your Talent On Djembe, Congas And Bongos


    I truly believe that talent is something that for may of us can be developed with hard work, love and practice. Sure there are naturals. But many of the people you see on the internet and on Youtube did not pop out of their momma’s womb playing drums or music at a very high level. I… Read More »

  • What is a hand drum worth?

    What is a hand drum worth?


    I am curious why a finely made hand crafted musical instrument like a hand carved djembe drum or artisan made conga drum or bongo should be looked at any differently then a Martin guitar in terms of value or price?  I understand anything sold is market driven but I do believe it goes beyond this. No… Read More »

  • Overwhelmed learning? Here is a plan for how to approach and learn west african drumming.

    Overwhelmed learning? Here is a plan for how to approach and learn west african drumming.


    Overwhelmed trying to learn to play west african drums? We live in a day in age where we have so much information available to us via internet, youtube,facebook, books, cds, etc. that it is easy to get overwhelmed and not learn anything. For some people it is hard to focus on only one thing. They… Read More »

  • Breaking Physical Habits

    Breaking Physical Habits


    Most of us are unaware of our physical habits from our daily life that carry over when play drums.We all have ways we physically respond to everything that happens in our daily life. It’s unconscious for the most part and habitual as well. When we sit down (or stand ) to play drums we are… Read More »

  • It’s easy to say “relax when you are drumming”, but how do you actually do it?

    It’s easy to say “relax when you are drumming”, but how do you actually do it?


    I know it’s easy to say “relax when you are drumming”, but how do you actually do it? I am always telling people to relax when they play and I also continually hear my teachers saying it to other as well. It is one of the most important things you need to do when playing… Read More »

  • Balance your studies between and east and west if you really want to learn and grow

    Balance your studies between and east and west if you really want to learn and grow


    There are several different ways to learn to play or express yourself on drums originating from the african diaspora be it afro cuban, west african or other areas. Here is a short overview. It does not matter which style of drumming you choose to play in be it traditional drumming or freestyle, if you balance… Read More »

  • Who Can Play The Drum? Everyone Is Welcome.

    Who Can Play The Drum? Everyone Is Welcome.


    Who exactly can play drums? Is everyone welcome? I say if you come to the drum with respect, yes! Music is music. The drum is a musical instrument. Drumming is music and music see’s no colors, race or age. It is as simple as that. People may see that, (race, color, sex,age) and people may… Read More »

  • The Zen Of Drumming

    The Zen Of Drumming


    1. Do one thing at a time. Learn one thing, one lick at a time. Play one instrument at a time. Work on one concept at a time. Learn one rhythm at a time. 2. Play it slowly and deliberately. With focus and intent. Start slow. Don’t speed up. 3. Play what every you have… Read More »

  • Sol Percussion is back in action! With Akbar Moghaddam

    Sol Percussion is back in action! With Akbar Moghaddam


    Sol Percussion by Akbar Moghaddam is back! This is great news for the percussion world as Akbar is always very innovative and creative and the percussion and conga drum-cajon-bongo market needs his wonderful new products and insight to push the bar even higher then where it is currently at now. I have always loved his… Read More »

  • The Ten Best Bongos On The Market Today

    The Ten Best Bongos On The Market Today


    Who makes the best top quality high end professional Bongos? In my opinion it is almost always the smaller companies where there is one person in charge, personal attention to detail is foremost and the goal of the artist is more about making a solid great sounding instrument then being a mass marketed production line… Read More »

  • The Ten Best Conga Drums, The Best Congas On The Market Today

    The Ten Best Conga Drums, The Best Congas On The Market Today


    It is amazing how few reviews there are on conga drums out there new or used. And many people think that the best drums made are from the major manufacturers such as L.P., Mienl, Toca and such. So today we will show you some solid alternatives that I am sure you will find eye opening… Read More »

Michael Pluznick