Michael Pluznick » djembe class

Djembe drum and percussion workshop with Michael Pluznick in Arambol Goa this winter

admin — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 03:32:43 +0000

In December I will be teaching a very fun and relaxed two week workshop in West African drumming, djembe, dununs and "non competitive" drumming for all levels in the very beautifu, peaceful and exotic village of Arambol , Goa, India. All levels of drummers are welcomed and you do not have to take the entire course. [...]

Michael Pluznick teaches Zaouli break into Kuku djembe solo on Toca Stage Series Pro wood djembe

admin — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 09:27:20 +0000

Toca artist and Toca endorsee Michael Pluznick shows the fun Zaouli break and Kuku solo technique for djembes and dunun on Toca Stage Series Pro wood djembe and Toca Freestyle Djundjuns. [...]

How to start (or to continue) to play drums when you are over 40 years old

admin — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 12:37:59 +0000

Does age matter when playing or performing drumming and percussion music? Yes and no.Many of us who have been playing for a while would obviously like to keep playing for a while. I myself am over 50 years old. I am constantly playing with players half my age and sometimes more. Of course there are always going to be some age or physical limitations, but there does not have to be any cramp in your style and with the proper maintanance and care of our bodies there should be no reason why we can not play well into our 90's! They do in Africa! [...]

Some tips about soloing on Djembe

admin — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 17:14:03 +0000

Here are some tips on soloing on the djembe drum. Please do not be afraid to express yourself when the time is appropriate (your turn) to solo on djembe. Every chance you get is a good chance to play and improve your playing. I'll be the first to admit I have thought about throwing my drum in the fire after hearing a child in Africa drum circles around m [...]

Having a hard time learning hand drums or djembe?

admin — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:42:58 +0000

f you are like any of us that have been around the ethnic or world drumming and music scene for many years, then you may have experienced some hard times trying to learn the drumming, percussion or music from another culture. Please don't get discouraged if you are trying to learn drumming and are having a hard time. For some of us it never comes easy. And it does take time. When we first hit a drum we thought it was going to be easy! We heard a pleasing sound at once, and we played a rhythm and thought we had it all right then in there. But once you start to study you get to see it is quite involved. [...]

My djembe and conga training program for developing your drumming skills quickly

admin — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 11:27:13 +0000

People often ask me about a training program. What could they do to improve their drumming and or improve more rapidly? I put together the following suggestions based on my own training program that I have followed for many years. Those of you who know me personaly know I am a bit of a fanatic so of course you can tone down the program to suit your own personal needs. So just take a few ideas from here or all of them. "Arai gor dai" as they say in Thailand ("up to you")! So pick and choose and enjoy your practice and training ritual. remember it's "playing" and playing is FUN! [...]

How to practice quietly at home

admin — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 18:53:24 +0000

Many people have written to me saying, “OK, I agree I need to practice, but where can I practice”? Maybe it is too cold to go out to the park, or you just don’t feel like dragging your drum around? Or maybe someone has complained about “noise”?

I do not know how many times I have had noise complaints from my neighbors about “strange sounds both night and day”! The drums can definitely bring out [...]

Avoiding injuries playing hand drums

admin — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 06:41:12 +0000

Injuries while playing drums can happen to anyone from the most beginning player to the most advanced. One of my favorite players and teachers Karmba Diabate for example is constantly in pain. His hands constantly hurt. He get’s amazing sound from his djembe, but at a price. I have seen every player at every level with hand or finger injuries.

proper hand technique

So, what do we do to not [...]

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 [...]

Makru Djembe Rhythm on Toca Stage Series Pro and Freestyle Djembes

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 06:47:13 +0000

Tina and Luna enjoy there first djembe drum class with Michael Pluznick on Koh Samui Island, Thailand. Luna is playing a new Toca Freestyle djembe. Tina and Michael are playing Toca Stage Series Pro wood djembes. The rhythm being taught is “Makru” from Guinee, West Africa.

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

admin — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 04:56:41 +0000

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 Malinke (Malenke) rhythm from the Faranah region of Guinee. It used to be played during the month prior [...]

How to play Sorsonete (soresonere) on three Dunun (doundoun)

admin — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 03:49:45 +0000

Michael Pluznick shows a technique for playing the Guinee (Guinea) west african drumming and rhythm pattern Soresonere (Soresonete) on three drums or dununs (dounouns) at Rumpuree dance studio in Bangkok, Thailand during a West African djembe drum and dunun workshop and drum class. This style of playing dununs (aka djundjuns or dounouns) is called “ballet style” and refers to the Afrcan dance and performing groups in West Africa called Ballets. In the Ballets [...]