Tag: lesson
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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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Taming The Inner Critic And Learning How To Drum
Say good bye to the self critic. The first thing I suggest we do when we are going to learn how to drum is to let go of the inner critic. The voice that say’s, “you are not good enough” or “you can’t do this”. Maybe you have this or maybe you don’t. But I find… Read More »
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Playing Ballet Style Dunun (aka Djun Djun) vs Traditional Style Dunun
What is the difference between playing ballet style dunun drums and traditional style dunun playing? Traditional is sideways played by three or two players and Ballet stye the dunun are played standing up. But it goes beyond this. The dunun are a set of three double sided drums hit with sticks that make up the… Read More »
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Playing at speed, how to play faster or slower with out freaking out.
I have noticed that most of the time even those of us who practice djembe or dunu regularly are practicing at a normal comfortable speeds or moreover, the same speed with out knowing it. We may be learning new phrases or rhythms, but generally we default to our own comfortable natural speed. The problem is… Read More »
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Breaking Physical Habits
Most of us are unaware of our physical habits from our daily life that carry over when play drums.We all have ways we physically respond to everything that happens in our daily life. It’s unconscious for the most part and habitual as well. When we sit down (or stand ) to play drums we are… Read More »
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How to play stronger and faster
Recently several people have asked me about lifting or using a weight training exercise regimen to improve their speed when playing djembe. Specifically, arm training exercises. I have never seen weight lifting specifically for the arms or shoulders help people to gain speed. It is possible it works, I am not a weightlifting expert but… Read More »
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Holistic Drumming, Simplifying The Learning Process
Learning west african djembe and dunun compositions. Instead of watching every different Youtube video, lessons, buying every DVD and gathering and storing mass amounts of information with the intention of learning evertyhing, try and focus on one rhythm at a time. Just one. Come up with a plan of attack. All the information in the… Read More »
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Using the bass note, the sometimes forgotten note on your conga or djembe drum
I was talking to a friend the other day about a drum I had mentioning that the new skin did not leave it with a lot of bass tone. He mentioned to me, “that’s O.K. because I don’t really use the bass note too often anyway”. Of course I schooled him and shared with him… Read More »
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Who Can Play The Drum? Everyone Is Welcome.
Who exactly can play drums? Is everyone welcome? I say if you come to the drum with respect, yes! Music is music. The drum is a musical instrument. Drumming is music and music see’s no colors, race or age. It is as simple as that. People may see that, (race, color, sex,age) and people may… Read More »
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The Zen Of Drumming
1. Do one thing at a time. Learn one thing, one lick at a time. Play one instrument at a time. Work on one concept at a time. Learn one rhythm at a time. 2. Play it slowly and deliberately. With focus and intent. Start slow. Don’t speed up. 3. Play what every you have… Read More »
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Finding A Teacher
I have been playing since the early 70’s and a lot of that time has been spent studying. A lot of that time was also mucking around. It took me a while to begin to get it together and realize that I did not know anything and I needed to study. I am so glad… Read More »
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Drumming Is An Art Form
Drumming is an art form and the drum is a musical instrument. It needs to be learned. Why? There are many different styles of drumming from many different places. I have studied drum music originating from West Africa and end also ending up in the new world. Some people call it traditional african drumming. This… Read More »