Tag: how to play djembe
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When and when not to play drums
Respect yourself, respect others. Sometimes if you are new to an area and trying to break into an unfamiliar world music scene or drumming situation a subtle approach is better then an aggressive approach. Read More »
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My djembe and conga training program for developing your drumming skills quickly
People often ask me about a training program. What could they do to improve their drumming and or improve more rapidly? I put together the following suggestions based on my own training program that I have followed for many years. Those of you who know me personaly know I am a bit of a fanatic… Read More »
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Dealing with complainers at drum jams
Before coming to a drum circle, drum lesson or class please leave your personal baggage at home. The music scene or drum jam is not the place to bring your personal issues. Please resolve your issues or complaints outside and away from the drums or drum scene. Many beginners unaware of how beginning they are… 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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Epic international drum jam on Khao San Road Bangkok, Thailand
Last night there was an epic drum jam on Khao San Road in Bangkok, Thailand. There were drummers from all across the globe! We got permission to play right in front of the police station because “King”, the local police chief is a big fan of Eddie Tamba our Liberian master of ceremonies and djembe… Read More »
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How to find the teacher that’s right for you
How do you find the drum or dance teacher who is right for you? Why do you even need a teacher? With out help, Djembe playing or conga playing can become repetitive and frustrating. Some of us try to learn on our own, from books, on line videos, DVD’s of Mamady Keita and playing to… Read More »
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congas to djembe/djembe to congas
When an established conga player transitions to learn to play djembe he or she has certain advantages and disadvantages. When you play congas, there is much emphasis on pushing in to the drum to make tone. On a goat skin djembe, do to the thin tight skin, you must pull the sound out. Despite this… Read More »
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survival skills
In my time I have seen everything happen at playing sessions. From people breakdown crying, to fist fights. Drumming, as we all know being incredibly theraputic, can bring out both the best and worst in people, or at least some deep rooted “stuff”. It is important to know when to communicate and also how to.… Read More »
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Silence the inner critic
Silencing the inner critic. For most of us when we are drumming , practicing and playing we are playing to an imaginary critic. Often this critic is saying, “you are not good enough”. I have learned over the years to simply not pay attention to the critic or whatever negative images or feelings that may… Read More »
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Leave your ego at the door please..
Don’t let your ego in the way of making you a great drummer. A great freind and teacher used to tell us before class. “Leave your ego at the door”. When we come together to drum, to learn or to play together it is important we come with respect for each other no matter what… Read More »
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Increasing your playing speed on any kind of drums
I often hear people, friends and students complain that they can not play as fast as they would like to. Watch any video of the top players in Africa or Cuba play and it is truly amazing. How do they do it? A key to playing fast is playing relaxed. This does not mean “sleepy”… Read More »
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Back in Bankok
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