Category: Advice & Tips
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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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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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Developing Your Talent On Djembe, Congas And Bongos
I truly believe that talent is something that for may of us can be developed with hard work, love and practice. Sure there are naturals. But many of the people you see on the internet and on Youtube did not pop out of their momma’s womb playing drums or music at a very high level. I… Read More »
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We Are All Branches Of The Drumming Tree
There are many styles and ways to play hand drums originating from West Africa. Be it traditional drumming, Afro Cuban, Haitian, Brazilian, South American, Trinidadian, (or others) it does not matter as it all comes or originates from the same tree. Even rock music and drum circles have their links, fundamental rhyhtms or branches from… Read More »
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Its All About Your Head
Skin matters! The type of skin, the thickness, consistency and evenness all play an important role in your drums sound. Almost any drum made can indeed be made to sound much much better by carefully choosing and correctly mounting the proper skin to balance the particular drum shells inherent qualities. If the skin is too… Read More »
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Hand Drumming In The Modern Age
In the Afro Cuban conga drum world and in the traditional based West African hand drumming and performance world there is a huge obsession with speed, rolls and “impressive” licks. This is what I call performance oriented drumming. It is created to impress and to entertain others. It has a certain and strong “wow factor”.… Read More »
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Get Rid Of Ring In Your Old Conga Drums
Get rid of the ring! Did you know that simply replacing the old or stock head on your conga drum with a professional level skin from Manito Percussion can completely eliminate the ring and improve the sound of your drums 100%? The skin plays a very important role in your sound and performance. Using these… Read More »
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Ignorance is Bliss, From Drum Circle to Traditional Drumming
Ignorance is bliss Many of my friends and students who used to love and were super rock stars at the drum circles got bored there and started to learn traditional drumming. They got involved and into the west african djembe rhythms but now are having a hard time returning to the drum circle. They are… Read More »
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Djembe Bara, “Unity Of The Drum”! What is drumming really about?
What is drumming really about? Of course our beloved traditional hand drumming is about musicality, technique, history, culture, education, spirituality, devotion,self expression, creativity, love and I am sure I missed a few things. “Anke Dje Anke Be” means come to gather in peace in the Melinke language of the Mali Empire (the Bambara say anka… Read More »
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Now And Then, All Styles Relate To The One!
Then And Now~ Let’s Get It Together! When I first started drumming in the 70’s (for those of us not born into or of the drum culture), there was one general drummers informational grid or network, that is to say one large drumming platform or base of information that was available to the general public.… Read More »
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Bolokada reveals secret of the djembe
Bolokada reveals secret of the djembe It is rare that I am able to share the deepest secrets of the Djembe! I have shared many songs, rhythms, and stories of my Malinke people, many techniques. Now, I’m excited to share the secrets of playing the djembe and the music with you. This is something I… Read More »
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It’s All About The Groove! Groove Consciousness In Hand Drumming
Groove consciousness. I believe we all need more groove consciousness. Goove is good. Groove is groovy. What is a groove and why does it make us happy, why does it make us want to dance? To me, a groove is an energetic wave of music that picks me up and takes me with it. Its… Read More »