Tag: instructional

  • 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 »

  • How to play djembe drums for west african dance class

    How to play djembe drums for west african dance class


    One thing I have noticed in my many, many moons of drumming is that although someone may be trained in west african drumming music, djembe or dununs and technically be a great or at least a knowledgable djembe player or even drum teacher, it does not mean they know how or can play djembe solo… 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 »

  • Mano Secreto; Demystifying the secret hand technique for conga drums

    Mano Secreto; Demystifying the secret hand technique for conga drums


    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… Read More »

  • Dress casual


    A few nights ago I was invited to play congas and percussion at a nice sushi and jazz club in Legion, Bali where I am teaching drums, performing and visiting right now. The jazz club is very similar to Yoshi’s in the bay area of San Francisco and Oakland, California (in the USA). I had… Read More »

  • 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 »

  • 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 »

  • 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 »

  • What to look for when buying a djembe


    When you are buying a djembe there are numerous things to look for to assure you are buying the right drum for your self. Here is a guideline of features to be aware of and look for. When buying a djmebe the first thing you want to look at is the wood shell. Put a… Read More »

  • 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 »

  • 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 »

  • Respecting the instrument you play: lesson one


    One of the first most important lessons to learn when we first buy or get given a drum is to […] Read More »

Michael Pluznick Website