Category: Blog
-
“Spirit In The Wood” conga drums, made from one log of wood. Worlds Best?
These are the new “Spirit In The Wood” brand conga drums. Made by an artist and musician in PA.,USA named Conrad. He has been building hand made drums for over 30 years and even the late great Baba Olatunji requested and played one of Conrad’s special drums. Read More »
-
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 […] Read More »
-
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 »
-
The First Asian Rhythm Facilitators’ Conference (1ARFC) is happening!
This is the first opportunity ever for people who work with rhythm to come together in Asia to network, discuss our knowledge and experience, share our “rhythmical spirit”, and (best of all) have crazy fun together in a tropical setting at one of Malaysia’s best beaches. (Did somebody say “Late night”?) Read More »
-
The New MP Signature series Eco Pro Djembes are now available at X8drums.com in USA and WRP in London soon!
“I am very proud to have this very fine drum offered to my friends and extended drum family. It represents […] Read More »
-
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 »
-
When stuff comes up at drum circles or out performing
After I wrote my last blog post I went to the nightly drum circle here in Arambol Beach, Goa, India. […] Read More »
-
How To Play A Conga Solo By Yourself With A Band
A conga student asked me recently, “how do I take a solo when I am playing with a band and the band stops, and I am left by myself? No one else is playing, it is just me”? This is a great question and here is how I do it. Read More »
-
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 »
-
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 »
-
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 […] Read More »
-
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 »