Category: Blog
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Mali Sunu rhythm basic djembe part: fast-med-slow with click
This short “how to play” djembe lesson by Michael Pluznick features the basic Mali Sunu rhythm djembe part in fast, medium and very slow *(breakdown) tempo with a click track so you can see and hear where everything goes against the beat or pulse. Read More »
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Mali Sunu ensemble, djembe solos by Michael Pluznick, Ben Isaacs
Michael Pluznick solos on djembe and then Ben Isaacs expresses his incredible feel and techniques as well. This is a longer version then I originally posted on Youtube. This video lesson features an explanation of the meaning of Mali Sunu played with more of a 4/4 feel. We also will be showing you a version… Read More »
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Dununba Dance and Drum party in Guinee West Africa
This is from a Dununba community African drum and West African dance party I sponsored when I was staying and studying with the late, great teacher and master choreorgapher and percussionist Kemoko Sano (aka Komoko Sano) at his compound in Mervielles, Conakry, Guinee, West Africa a few years ago. Read More »
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Kuku djembe solo techniques part one
This is part one of the Kuku solo techniques shown here with the small ensemble with Wade Peterson on ballet style dununs (aka “djundjun” or “dundun”) , Ben Isaacs on support djembe and MIchael Pluznick on lead or solo djembe. Read More »
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The late Great Pello EL Afrokan, our teacher
In 1985 we traveled to Cuba to learn about Cuban culture, study the music and experience the Cuban lifestyle. We were young and looking for musical and cultural adventures . While staying at the hotel in Havana we met Pello el Afrokan in our lobby. We told him about our quest to study Cuban… Read More »
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All About Olodum
Several years ago we went to Brazil to study Afro Brazilian music and dance. We were fortunate to meet members and teachers from the famous group Olodum. It took me years, but I was finally able to get some video footage up of our trip there so here it is! But first a little bit… Read More »
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Shekere demo excerpts from “How to Play Sekere (Shekere) volume 2
The Sekere is also known as Chekere or Shekere depending on where you are and who you talk to. This is a 2 hour DVD on many different aspects of how to play a Sekere (Shekere) including playing with a group of players, playing traditional style, non traditional style and with a band or popular… Read More »
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**NEW**!! How to Play Sekere (Shekere) Vol.2 JUST RELEASED!!!
http://www.earthcds.com/caribbean/cub… How to Play Sekere (Shekere) Volume 2 has just been released by Michael Pluznick and earthcds.com. Please check it out at earthcds.com. This Sekere video includes group arrangements for Shekere (sekere), individual parts for playing the Sekere (shekere) as well as Sekere rhythms for popular music as well. Read More »
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How to Play Afro Haitian Rhythms: Yan Valu by M. Pluznick on Toca Elite Pro Series congas
How to Play Afro Haitian Rhythms: Yan Valu by M. Pluznick form an up and coming soon to be released “How to Play Congas” DVD! Wade Peterson (seconde) conga, Ben Issacs 6/8 long bell, boula (up beats with sticks) Ray Titus politos This is an example of how to play the Yan Valu rhythm pattern… Read More »
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Afro Cuban “Quinto Lock” the secret solo ride for rumba by M. Pluznick
Michael Pluznick and friends on Toca Elite Pro Series congas! This video excerpt from How to Play Conga Drums shows the top secret “quinto lock” or solo ride pattern that fits or locks in between notes of the guaguanco rumba pattern, in this case a Yambu or slow Guagunaco. Michael first demonstrates the pattern hand… Read More »
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Peeing blood (pee blood, bloody urination) when playing drums and soloing on djembe
Peeing blood is a problem that happens for some of us when we play drums too hard. Stanford did a study on drummers who peed blood and also long distance runners who also peed blood and said it is from the break down of cells in the hand (or foot) being passed too quickly through… Read More »
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Mali Djembe Master Drummer Aruna SIdibe & Brulye Doumbia
Mali Djembe Master Drummer Aruna SIdibe & Brulye Doumbia *(Dununs) perform traditional West African djembe rhythms from the world drumming recording session for the Old Master CD on www.earthcds.com Read More »