Michael Pluznick » percussion

The new MP Signature Model Eco Pro 12″ and 13″ wood djembes have arrived !

admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 19:25:33 +0000

The new MP Signature Model Eco Pro 12" and 13" wood djembes have arrived in the UK and are avaialbale at WRP (World Rhythm and Percussion) now.. These drums are made in Indonesia from plantation wood which is planted and replanted responsibly. I have been working on these drums for about two years now and also field testing them all around the world and I am really happy with the sound and feel! [...]

New How To Play Djembe on line (downloadable) Djembe and West African drumming Lessons now available!

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:53:07 +0000

My latest instructional series on how to play the djembe and west african drumming styles is now available for easy downloads at X8drums.com. This easy to follow tutorial series features easy to follow instructions, over the shoulder shots and special slow motion sequences to make your learning experience easier and fun! Please check it out at X8drums.com where you can see and hear a free sample. [...]

The New MP Signature series Eco Pro Djembes are now available at X8drums.com in USA and WRP in London soon!

admin — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:32:44 +0000

Michael Pluznick has been recording with a variety of musicians with great pleasure and success for over 25 years. He has collaborated with Todd Rundgren, Jerry Garcia and Mickey Hart ( both of The Grateful Dead),Clarence Clemmons (Bruce Springsteen), Raul Rico (Santana) and Jim Chappell, among others. Designed and manufactured in Bali, Michael worked closely with master carvers and artisans to create a djembe drum that he believes rivals most high-end African made drums in sound, look and definitely 100% in quality. One of the major upgrades to this drum is additional carving on the inside of the drum which creates a larger "choke" or opening for the sound to exit from. The choke should always be larger then your fist size when placed in the opening. He also added a bicycle tire to the bottom of the drum to protect your floors, other peoples floors, to stop the drum from whacking and splitting and to make it easier to hold when you are drumming sitting down. Once you try a drum with a tire on the bottom you will want one on whatever drum you are playing. Legally Harvested Wood Michael's goal in making this signature drum was to try and design an "eco" drum from "good wood" and also to make a drum that looks, sounds and feels like the best west African drums at a price of almost half their cost. The trees used in manufacturing these drums are replanted and it is regulated and observed closely. The wood that these drums use cost twice as much as the "smuggled" and illegal wood, but to Michael it is worth the cost to try to at least be conscious about it. Kiln Dried The Eco Pro djembes are kiln dried and tested for humidity and moisture. This prevents long term problems with the shell cracking or changing shape over time. The Sound Please watch the videos and see for yourself. These drums have full rich tone, deep bass and a snappy high with slaps that really “POP”! The larger 13" drum is really remarkable in that it covers so much ground. You can use it as a solo drum, accompaniment drum or anywhere in between. Because of the remarkable strength of the wood and roping methods you can pull these drums as tight as you want. They won’t warp like some lighter drums do. The smaller drum at 12" is still a nice size, relatively light in weight and has remarkable presence and projection of sound. Despite being a screamer on the high end (if you crank it up) [...]

My New How To Play Djembe DVD is now available at X8drums.com

admin — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 04:00:55 +0000

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 every possible aspect of how to play the djembe! [...]

Becoming a drummer, “where do I fit in” some tips on finding balance

admin — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:39:14 +0000

Maybe you are a beginer or perhaps you have been drumming a while. A challenge or problem that we all face at one time or another in our drumming life is "where do I fit"? What is the type of music I really want to play and who are the people that I want to play with or learn from? Do I want to freestyle or play traditional music? [...]

Introducing the new MP Eco Pro 12″ and 13″ wood djembe drums

admin — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 05:14:49 +0000

After field testing and working closely with the Drum Factory and Ed Balma in Ubud, Bali for over a year we now have two new beautiful prototype MP Eco Pro wood djembe models ready for the market, a 12 " and a 13" (6ocm and 65cm) ! They will be distributed in the USA by X8. It's been a long and windy road bringing these drums to fruition but here they are. [...]

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. [...]

Bali Treasures drum and percussion shop in Ubud, Bali

admin — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 06:29:48 +0000

If you are a drummer or musician or just love percussion and you are ever in Bali (or on line) you owe it to yourself to check out Bali Treasures. I was recently in Ubud Bali where I had the pleasure to meet the owner of the Bali Treasures retail store Ed A. Balma. Ed also is owner of what is probably the worlds largest djembe manufacturingcompany.

play along [...]

How to Play Congas: Very basic technique, position and tones

admin — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 01:26:43 +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. For more info go to: www.michaelpluznick.com

Toca Elite Pro wood conga drum review

admin — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 02:06:25 +0000

These are really nice , sweet sounding drums, and the finish is beautiful as well. They come as a set with a nice folding stand which is great if you are playing in a band. I also tried the Tumba which has a deep, rich bass tone. The drums come in a choice of two different finishes and also having matching bongos which are crisp and clean. The drums are medium to light weight and a bit shorter then Toca's other drums. I prefer the shorter drums as I like to play sitting down. [...]

The late Great Pello EL Afrokan, our teacher

admin — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 09:43:33 +0000

Pello El Afrokan

In 1985 we traveled to Cuba to learn about Cuban culture, study the music and experience the Cuban lifestyle. We were young and looking for musical and cultural adventures . While staying at the hotel in Havana we met Pello el Afrokan in our lobby. We told him about our quest to study Cuban music, rhythm and dance and he took our small group of friends on [...]

NEW!! How to Play Sekere (Shekere) Vol.2 JUST RELEASED!!!

admin — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 16:08:37 +0000

http://www.earthcds.com/caribbean/cub…

How to Play Sekere (Shekere) Volume 2 has just been released by Michael Pluznick and earthcds.com. Please check it out at earthcds.com. This Sekere video includes group arrangements for Shekere (sekere), individual parts for playing the Sekere (shekere) as well as Sekere rhythms for popular music as well.