Tag: djembe solo

  • Rhythms of Expression: Finding Your Voice in Djembe Soloing

    Rhythms of Expression: Finding Your Voice in Djembe Soloing


    We’ve spent some time chatting about the various styles and types of hand drumming across different countries—traditional, folkloric, village, and city styles—and also about drum circles and open jam sessions. If you’re interested in learning more about each of these styles, I invite you to check out the articles already here on my website, where… Read More »

  • Your Djembe Solo and Accompaniment parts

    Your Djembe Solo and Accompaniment parts


    Djembe drumming from West Africa, particularly through the teachings of masters like M’Bemba Bangoura, reveals a depth and richness that transcends mere performance. The act of playing a djembe solo serves multifaceted roles that enhance the communal experience of music, dance, and celebration. The Role of a Djembe Solo At its core, a djembe solo… Read More »

  • The 4 Types of Djembe Solos

    The 4 Types of Djembe Solos


    The djembe solo in the west and in the east. 4 types of djembe solos. In West African djembe music originating out of Mali and Guinea areas there are 2 different types or approaches to solo on the djembe. I am talking about these two regions (Guinea and Mali) because that is where I have… Read More »

  • The Djembe Solo And The Accompaniment Parts

    The Djembe Solo And The Accompaniment Parts


    In my circles of friends and in the drum scenes I partake or I am involved with I have always noticed a rush for beginners and students, people with out developed skill sets to have an “over infatuation” with soloing. I see it at every level of playing and in every style of drumming I… Read More »

  • Bolokada reveals secret of the djembe

    Bolokada reveals secret of the djembe


    Bolokada reveals secret of the djembe It is rare that I am able to share the deepest secrets of the Djembe!  I have shared many songs, rhythms, and stories of my Malinke people, many techniques. Now, I’m excited to share the secrets of playing the djembe and the music with you. This is something I… Read More »

  • How To Solo On Djembe

    How To Solo On Djembe


    The Djembe Solo Demystified: What is a djembe solo? For me, (depending on the scenario and situation), a djembe solo is a story we..or someone tells. Like any good story It has a beginning a climax (or climaxes) and an ending. There is a build and their is space. But how do we tell this… Read More »

  • The Djembe Solo

    The Djembe Solo


    The beginners, *(all of our) need to solo in traditional drumming situations. Most people getting involved with hand drums such as congas and djembes get inspired by seeing a video, being at a drum circle or a performance where they have seen someone soloing. Something clicks. Something calls us. We are moved in a very… Read More »

  • My New How To Play Djembe DVD is now available at X8drums.com

    My New How To Play Djembe DVD is now available at X8drums.com


    Well folks, it is finally here! After a very long road of playing, videoing, shooting, editing and re editing I am very excited to let you all know that my all new DVD, “How To Play Djembe” Volume 1 is now available at X8drums.com. It is over 1 hour and 40 minutes long and covers… Read More »

  • Understanding the Basic Fundamentals of Playing the Djembe Drum

    Understanding the Basic Fundamentals of Playing the Djembe Drum


    West African hand drumming and specifically speaking, “traditional djembe drumming” is based on a system of fundamentals or “basics” just like any other type or form of drumming be it Indian, Afro Cuban, Brazilian or even the western drum set. There are rudiments or “basic fundamentals” of djembe playing that can be similar to drum… Read More »

  • What is a djembe solo and the four types of djembe solos

    What is a djembe solo and the four types of djembe solos


    I love to play djembes and I also love to study the music we make with djembes. Djembe soloing is a very small part of djembe music as a whole. The djembe is a communal drum and is about community and unity. We all (myself included) get caught up in being the soloist as it… Read More »

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

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


    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. Read More »

  • Some tips about soloing on Djembe

    Some tips about soloing on Djembe


    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… Read More »

Michael Pluznick