Tag: lesson
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Developing Your Deepest Creative Drumming
To be “deeply creative” go into the learning mode In the hand drum world there is a lot of talk and pride about expressing your own inner rhythm. Being creative. Doing your own thing. Soloing. Freestyle. And I am all for it. I acknowledge my inner rhythm and your inner rhythm. it is a beautiful… Read More »
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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 »
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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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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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What is a djembe solo and the four types of djembe solos
I love to play djembes and I also love to study the music we make with djembes. Djembe soloing is a very small part of djembe music as a whole. The djembe is a communal drum and is about community and unity. We all (myself included) get caught up in being the soloist as it… Read More »
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How to Play Hand Drums: Getting the Bounce technique
My first drum teacher used to chant repeatedly, “minimum input maximum out put” when it came to the topic of playing techniques and how to hit the drum. It was true over 30 years ago and it is still true now. What he was talking about is that it is not important how hard you… Read More »
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Dress casual
A few nights ago I was invited to play congas and percussion at a nice sushi and jazz club in Legion, Bali where I am teaching drums, performing and visiting right now. The jazz club is very similar to Yoshi’s in the bay area of San Francisco and Oakland, California (in the USA). I had… 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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How to practice quietly at home
Many people have written to me saying, “OK, I agree I need to practice, but where can I practice”? Maybe it is too cold to go out to the park, or you just don’t feel like dragging your drum around? Or maybe someone has complained about “noise”? I do not know how many times I have… Read More »
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Avoiding injuries playing hand drums
Injuries while playing drums can happen to anyone from the most beginning player to the most advanced. One of my favorite players and teachers Karmba Diabate for example is constantly in pain. His hands constantly hurt. He get’s amazing sound from his djembe, but at a price. I have seen every player at every level… Read More »
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Kassa rhythms and variations “Saraya” from Guinee, West Africa ballet style
n this lesson excerpt we look at the Kassa family of rhythms. This is the Saraya variation shown on dununs “down” style also known as “ballet” style. Read More »
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Basic’s: “clave concept” an introduction
It is all about basics and fundamentals. One of the fundamentals of all West African drumming is the clave concept. What is the clave concept? In Spanish, the clave is the cornerstone on which a wall is built. Musically and for our purposes here, we will talk about the clave not only an instrument (two… Read More »