Tag: how to play
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Going beyond the drum circle; learning to play your drum correctly
You have just been to your first drum circle and you are fully charged up and excited to play drums. Or maybe you have been to several drum circles or drumming events. It was fun and exciting to play your drum with other people. You want to do it more and more. So what happens… Read More »
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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 »
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How to start (or to continue) to play drums when you are over 40 years old
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… Read More »
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Playing cold at a hot gig in Bali, Indonesia
What do you do when you are completely cold and suddenly have to play hot? Last night the islands best trumpet player performed with his band at Bali’s version of Yoshis called interestingly enough, Ryopshi’s! Any coincidence? Great sushi and great tunes. Rio Sadik, the trumpet player, singer and “star of the show”, ( as… Read More »
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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 »
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Having a hard time learning hand drums or djembe?
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… Read More »
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My djembe and conga training program for developing your drumming skills quickly
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… Read More »
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How to get work as a drummer, percussionist or musician
Are you a percussionist, drummer or musician and are ready to go out there into the “real world” and make a go at it as a pro? If so I have some solid suggestions I have learned along the way I can share with you here. If you follow these tips you will be well… Read More »
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The working drummer: get contracts/make solid agreements
If you are a gigging drummer or musician and just starting out playing here is some important advice and information. I am going to share some information with you that will help you to never have to suffer the way I have with unreliable people or people that do not understand or respect drumming or… Read More »
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Djembe Intensive Workshop in Ubud, Bali Jan 9th @ 3:00 PM by Michael Pluznick
I will be teaching an intensive, intermediate to advanced small group djembe and dunun workshop for a limited number of […] Read More »
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How to practice quietly at home
Many people have written to me saying, “OK, I agree I need to practice, but where can I practice”? Maybe […] Read More »
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Avoiding injuries playing hand drums
Injuries while playing drums can happen to anyone from the most beginning player to the most advanced. One of my […] Read More »