Category: Blog
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Learning to Play Drums is More Then Patterns
If you want to learn more then just rhythms and patterns and really want to know how to drum on the deepest levels and if you really want to grow, you have to challenge your brain and you have to do different stuff then you are used to or comfortable with. I see many people… Read More »
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West African Inspired Dance Classes From Guinea In South Florida
Isis Olmos is now visiting Florida. She is originally from Mexico and has lived and studied extensively in Guinea, West Africa with several of todays leading dance teachers and performance groups. She is in Florida now and we are forming classes and workshops through out the state. Isis is not only a gifted dancer but a… Read More »
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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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Sifiso dances @ Durban Beach Show South Africa
Please check out this amazing child dancer from South Africa moving and grooving. I have never seen anything quite like it! What do you think? Sifiso dances @ Durban Beach Show South Africa Read More »
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An Interview With Michael Markus Of Wula Drum
I had the good fortune recently to have a Q and A session with the incredible Michael Markus. Known not only for his great drumming, wit and humour he is co founder of the Wula Drum company, Wula Dance Retreat and runs the World Percussion Center in NYC. For many years he has been one of the… 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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The Djembe Solo And The Accompaniment Parts
In my circles of friends and in the drum scenes I partake or I am involved with I have always noticed a rush for beginners and students, people with out developed skill sets to have an “over infatuation” with soloing. I see it at every level of playing and in every style of drumming 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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The Best Djembes Made
I am now offering the best djembes made on the planet. I source the shell from either Ivory Coast, Guinea or Mali. We then construct and make the drum from scratch, from a log… to your specifications. Everything can be chosen by you from the size to the decoration. The shell is gone over with… Read More »
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The Ultimate Djembe! MP Pro Cassia Wood Guinea Djembe
Many hands went into getting my favourite Guinea sourced Cassia wood djembe drum into the perfect condition and optimum sound tool it is now. The head is from Ryan ‘Manito’ Wendel. I did some initial repairs to the stem. John Felice mounted the rubber bottom. Drumskull Drums mounted the skin, put on new ropes as well as polished the drum… Read More »