Just wanted everybody in the Richmond area to know that I am now offering musical instruction in beginner and intermediate level Turkish-, Arabic- and Balkan-style darbuka.

Lessons will include:

proper body position
holding the drum and proper form
buying and appraising new and used drums
relaxation and breathing
time signature, meter, tempo and rhythm
different styles of Middle Eastern drumming
mastering the DUM, TEK and KA strokes
technique-building drills
good practice skills
intermediate ornaments such as shaves, flams and sliding strokes
single-stroke rolls
Turkish split-finger rolls
Persian riz rolls
Arabic-style rolls
triplets
paradiddles
Balkan pulse-based meters
customizing basic Middle Eastern rhythms
odd meter time signatures (including Turkish Roman 9/8 rhythms)
drumming for a percussion ensemble
drumming as part of a full musical ensemble
drumming for belly dancers
participating in drum circles
other Middle Eastern percussion instrumentation (riqq, frame drum, davul)

I offer reasonable private and small group rates.

I have been playing and performing Middle Eastern percussion music since 2000, and I am a licensed teacher with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Department of Education. I can also help beginning students find and buy a new drum, and I can rent them a drum, sell them a drum, or allow them to rent-to-own a drum. All I ask of any potential students is that they have access to their own drum and that they put as much energy into learning as I promise to put into teaching!

Please contact me at stupidroom@verizon.net for more information.