Michael Pluznick » how to play congas

How To Play A Conga Solo By Yourself With A Band

admin — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:22:26 +0000

A conga student asked me recently, "how do I take a solo when I am playing with a band and the band stops, and I am left by myself? No one else is playing, it is just me"? This is a great question and here is how I do it. [...]

Mano Secreto; Demystifying the secret hand technique for conga drums

admin — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 07:39:55 +0000

Have you heard of the Mano Secreto? It is the secret hand technique used and first made popular by percussion legends Changuito and also Giovanni Hildago. Prior to these great conga players there was another player named tat Guines in Havana Cuba who was developing this technique. Why is it secret? Because until recently (well about 10 years or so ) no one else could do it. Now everyone is doing it but there are not a lot of great instructional videos about it unfortunately. [...]

My new DVD, How to Play Afro Cuban Congas has been released today on earthcds.com

admin — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 13:33:20 +0000

My latest instructional DVD, "How to Play Afro Cuban Congas" has just been relased today on earthcds.com. This DVD features almost everything I have learned in the last 25 years or more studying, learning, teaching and performing conga drums around the world. There is in depth looks at all the major rhythms with break down sections, slow motion and different vantage points as well. [...]

How to Play Hand Drums: Getting the Bounce technique

admin — Mon, 30 May 2011 06:01:35 +0000

My first drum teacher used to chant repeatedly, "minimum input maximum out put" when it came to the topic of playing techniques and how to hit the drum. It was true over 30 years ago and it is still true now. What he was talking about is that it is not important how hard you hit the drum but it is about the technique you use. [...]

When and when not to play drums

admin — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 05:09:44 +0000

Respect yourself, respect others. Sometimes if you are new to an area and trying to break into an unfamiliar world music scene or drumming situation a subtle approach is better then an aggressive approach. [...]

Space, the final frontier. Add a little space to your solo’s!

admin — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:36:00 +0000

Space, the final frontier. Soloing concepts

Most young soloists and even experienced players play too many notes. My suggestion is to approach drumming as a musical composition. In music, soloing is more about what you don’t play, then what you do play. I am talking about space. Phrasing and space. Space and phrasing. As Lao Tsu the legendary philosopher once said, ” it is not the walls that are important but the space with [...]

Congas: basic hand position and playing techniques

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:19:19 +0000

“With out strong framework the house will collapse’. In this ‘follow along” video/ conga lesson we will begin to explore how to position your hands and also how to make basic sounds on the conga drum. This is part one

congas to djembe/djembe to congas

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:50:39 +0000

When an established conga player transitions to learn to play djembe he or she has certain advantages and disadvantages. When you play congas, there is much emphasis on pushing in to the drum to make tone. On a goat skin djembe, do to the thin tight skin, you must pull the sound out.

work on pulling and keeping your hands in near the rim

Despite this energetic difference, the technique for making tone [...]

LP Galaxy Giovanni Series Congas Test Drive/demo by Michael Pluznick

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:44:59 +0000

These congas represent the state of the art in conga drums and are truly great drums. [...]

Leave your ego at the door please..

admin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:23:13 +0000

Don’t let your ego in the way of making you a great drummer. A great freind and teacher used to tell us before class. “Leave your ego at the door”. When we come together to drum, to learn or to play together it is important we come with respect for each other no matter what level of playing we are at.

Everyone can drum and everyone has their own unique beat or inner rhythm. [...]

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 [...]