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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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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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Speaking of Drumming
When we sit down to play drums or music with other people it is the same as having a conversation verbally with others. Drumming especially, is an oral tradition and a means of communication. When you are with friends and have a conversation you look at the other peoples eyes and you all don’t talk… Read More »
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Keep aware of your surroundings when you are playing drums
Keeping aware of your environment. A short survival guide for drummers. When you are playing in public …which I have since the early 70’s.. you learn to keep your eyes open and be aware of who and what is around you at all times. It is not paranoia it is awareness. Knowledge will keep you… 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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Balance your studies between and east and west if you really want to learn and grow
There are several different ways to learn to play or express yourself on drums originating from the african diaspora be it afro cuban, west african or other areas. Here is a short overview. It does not matter which style of drumming you choose to play in be it traditional drumming or freestyle, if you balance… Read More »
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eBay and Craigslist drum buyers beware!
Many people find great deals on used conga and djembe drums on line. I know I have and you can too. However, so much of the stuff out there is junk. eBay new and used djembe and conga drum buyers beware. I am constantly on the look out for great deals on drums on the… 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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How About Existential Drumming For Those Deep Into Their Drumming?
Creatively speaking, once you have learned how to play your drum (well) all drumming is an experiment, the more experiments you make the better. I had a great teacher who told me, “your next mistake is actually your next creative idea”. The same impulse that creates the alleged mistake is the same impulse that creates… 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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How To Remember Rhythm Patterns
Remembering rhythm patterns, use any tool you can find. Once I do actually learn a rhythm, pattern or phrase it is usually because or helped by the fact that I hear it and sing it to myself as a simple melody. Melodies are interesting because they contain rhythm as well as musical notes. Interestingly enough… Read More »
