Tag: how to play
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learning To Solo
Soloing Advice for Hand drummers. If you’re learning to solo on the djembe or congas, I have a piece of advice from my own experience that you might find useful. I’ve seen it work wonders for others as well. Consider this: when you’re about to play a solo or take the lead, think of yourself… Read More »
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Michael Pluznick’s free online lessons are happening daily on facebook and instagram
For the past five months, I’ve been offering free daily classes in djembe, dunun, shekere, and other percussion instruments. I’ve been broadcasting on Facebook and Instagram live from Thailand, either outdoors at the Chiang Mai University campus or from a sound booth in my condo. These sessions are entirely free, and I’m not looking for… Read More »
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There is knowledge and Then there is knowing
There is knowledge and then there is knowing. When it comes to drumming, I’ve noticed there’s a big difference between just having knowledge and truly knowing what it’s all about—those are two entirely different things. Over the years, I’ve met a ton of people in the drumming community, some of whom have only a little… Read More »
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The Journey of a Drummer: Embracing the Process
The Journey of a Drummer: Embracing the Process As a drummer, I’ve come to realize that the journey of learning is just as important as the destination. Each time I tackle a new rhythm or technique, it feels like a fresh challenge—a blank canvas inviting me to create. While mastering something new can be daunting,… Read More »
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The Philosophy Of Djembe Accompaniment
The Role of Djembe Players in West African Drumming At the heart of this exploration is the mastery of accompaniment parts. These form the backbone of traditional rhythms, consisting of short grooves and repetitive phrases tailored to position the drummer within the rhythmic arrangement. Playing these parts with intention, commitment, and a high level of… Read More »
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Getting Out Of Your Comfort Zone= Positive Growth
If you want to improve your drumming and expand your abilities then it is important to play and practice to different feels and different time signatures on your drum or percussion instrument. Get out of your comfort zone of the same time signatures and speed all the time. If you just play to the same… Read More »
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Intensive one on one learning experiences and intensive training sessions with Michael Pluznick
An intensive training session, with a one to five day lesson series is a great way to up your game. With two to three sessions per day you can really immerse yourself in the wonderful world of drumming and bring an amazing wealth of knowledge back home with you. In only a few short days… Read More »
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Groove and the pocket. The power of simplicity.
Groove and the pocket. The power of simplicity. When you are playing traditional style drumming, especially West African djembe based music you “hold” parts. Everyone is not playing whatever they want constantly. Each djembe player and each dunun player has basic set parts. The parts are part of alchemic formulas from who knows where originally.… Read More »
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Sometimes it takes a long time to learn how to play like yourself”
“Sometimes it takes a long time to learn how to play like yourself” Quote by Miles Davis. The drum like any other instrument is a life long study. We don’t reach a point and suddenly say “I am there” and stop studying and learning. Technique and your personal sound is something that is always being… Read More »
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How to learn the djembe drum, where to start and what to do. My recommendations for beginners to advanced players.
Overwhelmed trying to learn to play west african drums? Is there too much info and you don’t know where to start? 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… Read More »
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a percussion fanatics tips on how to learn and enjoy studying drumming
I would like to share a percussion fanatics tip on how to learn and enjoy studying drumming on a continual basis. Many of us get overwhelmed by the wealth of information available to us on the internet and other sources. Because there is so much information it can cause the same effect as no information.… Read More »
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Avoiding or dealing with joint pain or hand problems
In this article I will be talking about how to possibly avoid pain (or at least cut down on it) in your drumming as well as some possibilities if you are already having pain. Weather you are young or older it’s always a good idea to be prepared and here are some preventative methodologies, strategies,… Read More »