Category: Music Study
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Solo Now, Learn Later. What Is A Djembe Solo?
Solo now, learn later! Beginning drummers often ask me or write in with the question, how do they express themselves and their inner rhythm on the djembe drum with in the traditional west african rhythm context? When playing traditional rhythms almost always, beginning drummers want to learn to solo at once. They want to move… Read More »
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All The Parts Are Equally Important In Traditional Roots Drumming
In 1985 I took my first (legal) trip to Cuba to study music. I was in love at once. Besides the fact that everyone liked us even though we were Americans shocked me. The media had once again mislead me. One of the other many things that shocked me in a very positive way was… Read More »
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La Mano Secreta “The Secret Hand Technique”
La Mano Secreta or “The Secret Hand” is what I call a ‘technique’ or rhythm system for playing rolls with a heel tip (a.k.a. palm tip or shuffle) on your left hand. If you are lefty then it would be your right hand and when you get more advanced you play it on both hands. Read More »
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Skype Lessons On Line With Michael Pluznick
I am now offering West African, Afro Cuban, and Fusion/Hybrid hand drumming classes of all types on line via Skype. I encourage any one who wants to learn more about drumming and how to play drums to contact me. All levels are welcome. If you have always wanted to drum or simply want to enhance… Read More »
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The art of drumming, learning the basics and more!
Just for the record, I am not against fusion, hybrid or any other new or old style of drumming of any kind. As a matter of fact I am open to it and do it myself to some extent. I see it as a natural evolution of traditional drumming styles as people who have studied… Read More »
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New How To Play Djembe on line (downloadable) Djembe and West African drumming Lessons now available!
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… Read More »
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My New How To Play Djembe DVD is now available at X8drums.com
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… 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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Who wants to play dununs and what is a djembe solo?
In all my years playing, studying and teaching West African rhythms and percussion I have always come across an interesting and challenging situation. It is really hard to find people, that is to say djembe players, other fellow percussionists or drum students who want to learn the dunun patterns, individual traditional dunun parts and or… Read More »
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Djembe drum and percussion workshop with Michael Pluznick in Arambol Goa this winter
In December I will be teaching a very fun and relaxed two week workshop in West African drumming, djembe, dununs and “non competitive” drumming for all levels in the very beautifu, peaceful and exotic village of Arambol , Goa, India. All levels of drummers are welcomed and you do not have to take the entire… Read More »
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There are many kinds and types of djembe and African drum rhythms
Let’s face the facts. Until Mamady Keita arrived in the USA we were playing djembe ass backwards. For example, Mandiani was more often then not being played backwards as Soli, (Donba in Senegal) or visa versa. We were doing the best we could at the time as there was very limited resources available in the… Read More »
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Camp Fareta West African Dance and Drum Camp 2011 -Youssouf Koumbassa and Mamady Keita!
If you have been looking for a summer activity or always wanted to do a drum intensive or simply experience West African drumming, dance and music and can’t make it all the way to West Africa here is the next best thing, African dance camp. Not only do you get to drum and dance as… Read More »