Tag: Tips
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Where am I?
Where are you? Understanding and feeling the basic pulse or heartbeat of a rhythm is crucial for both drummers and dancers because it provides the structure and foundation for all rhythmic patterns that are played. You need to know where you are in any rhythm or musical situation you are in. Where does the rhythm… Read More »
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Learning how to stay in time, practice tips for beginners Part 1
A lot of people ask me how to improve their rhythm when they are drumming or learning to drum. Everyone has to start somewhere and there are definitely things to do that can help us improve. A fun way to play, improve, learn to “lock in” and sit in a groove is to play along… Read More »
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Activating Your Weak Side Drumming
In hand drumming it is important to balance your playing and make your weak side stronger and equivalent. You will be able to play longer and not get tired as fast and it also opens up a world of creativity. Think of it s adding another 50% to your playing style. It’s a lot! Playing… Read More »
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Overwhelmed learning? Here is a plan for how to approach and learn west african drumming.
Overwhelmed trying to learn to play west african drums? 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 some people it is hard to focus on only one thing. They… Read More »
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It’s easy to say “relax when you are drumming”, but how do you actually do it?
I know it’s easy to say “relax when you are drumming”, but how do you actually do it? I am always telling people to relax when they play and I also continually hear my teachers saying it to other as well. It is one of the most important things you need to do when playing… Read More »
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Wearing A Djembe Drum, Important Tips On Posture and Playing To Help You Play Easier With Out Pain
Playing the djembe drum standing up is very different then playing seated. You now have more volume but you also have a weight on your shoulders and therefore, lower back as well. Playing standing up takes time and patience to get used to and to learn and special training can help for this as well.… Read More »
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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 »
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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 »
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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 »
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Top 10 do’s and dont’s at a drum circle, drum jam or party
If you are walking into an unkonwn situation be it a drum circle, drum jam, party or a dance class here are some general guidelines of etiquette to follow. They may seem pretty simple and you may or may not agree with them. But if you follow them you will have a much more harmonius… Read More »