Category: Blog
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“Music In Mali: Life Is Hard, Music Is Good” Movie preview
I am very happy and excited to tell you about an amazing new film documentary by Aja Salvatore called “Music In Mali: Life Is Hard, Music Is Good”. This feature-length documentary is about the musicians, dancers and everyday people of Mali who are creating inspiring heartfelt music in some of the most difficult living conditions… 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 […] Read More »
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Becoming a drummer, “where do I fit in” some tips on finding balance
Maybe you are a beginer or perhaps you have been drumming a while. A challenge or problem that we all face at one time or another in our drumming life is “where do I fit”? What is the type of music I really want to play and who are the people that I want to… Read More »
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Introducing the new MP Eco Pro 12″ and 13″ wood djembe drums
After field testing and working closely with the Drum Factory and Ed Balma in Ubud, Bali for over a year we now have two new beautiful prototype MP Eco Pro wood djembe models ready for the market, a 12 ” and a 13″ (6ocm and 65cm) ! They will be distributed in the USA by… Read More »
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Playing to the click track and other studio tips for percussionists in the recording studio
ver the last 25 years or more I have had the great pleasure and good luck to be able to record percussion in recording studios all around the world. My first recording studio experience playing percussion instruments was with my friend and first drum teacher George Terzis. George invited me to a small recording session… Read More »
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How to Re-Head a Djembe by Shorty Palmer
Have you ever broken your skin on your drum or had your head pop on your djembe drum? I remember way back when I had just bought a new drum at a Mamady Keita workshop from Drumskulls. After the drum class when I arrived back home I put it in my kitchen and walked in… 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 […] Read More »
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Amazing Dancer, “Lasensua” from Canada to Maui and beyond!
I have had the great opportunity to know and to have been playing for Lasensua for over 20 years or more. I first met her on the Big Island of Hawaii. Lasensua has lived, studied & performed in many areas of the world. Her travels started in 1974, when she became immersed in Hawaiian culture… Read More »
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DVD review: Ultimate Guru Music presents, “The Art of Fusion Drumming” by Taufiq Qureshi
I recently received a 2 DVD set from Ultimate Guru Music Company in India of a very interesting musical percussion artist named Taufiqu Queresh. The first thing I noticed is the quality of the box, artwork and packaging. Very well done! When you open the box there is full color booklet attached to the box… Read More »
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Mano Secreto; Demystifying the secret hand technique for conga drums
Have you heard of the Mano Secreto? It is the secret hand technique used and first made popular by percussion legends Changuito and also Giovanni Hildago. Prior to these great conga players there was another player named tat Guines in Havana Cuba who was developing this technique. Why is it secret? Because until recently (well… Read More »
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Going beyond the drum circle; learning to play your drum correctly
You have just been to your first drum circle and you are fully charged up and excited to play drums. Or maybe you have been to several drum circles or drumming events. It was fun and exciting to play your drum with other people. You want to do it more and more. So what happens… Read More »
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Studying West African drumming in Mali part one
My first trip to Africa was to Mali ,West Africa. I was always scared to go to Africa even though all my friends and students had already gone and the reports were always very positive. I was scared of getting sick. I heard the horror stories of people getting sick there, the poor hospitals, bad… Read More »