Dance Workshops
with Souhail
Drum Solo for Dancers
Learn to dance to common riffs and rhythms during a live drum solo!
Souhail has coached hundreds of dancers across the nation with his patient teaching style. He uses a traditional Egyptian format for teaching Raqs al Sharqi in which the dancer visually portrays Middle Eastern music through their dance.
In this class, you will become familiar with common rhythms and drum combinations used in live drum solos, with repetition of the rhythms so you can lock in different combinations. Souhail will give each student advice on how to really make their movements *pop* with the accents and downbeats of the solo. A good drum solo compliments the drummer and the dancer, and Souhail will show you how to really enhance your own style for a killer drum solo!
All skill levels are welcome in this class!
Continuing students, please bring your questions about drum solo interpretation. The class can be catered to your requests.
Percussion Workshops
with Souhail
Egyptian Tabla (Doumbek) Fundamentals
This class introduces technique for classical Middle Eastern drumming on the Egyptian tabla, also known as doumbek, darbuka, or derbeki.* Beginning students will learn the basic strokes used for a proper foundation to learning this exciting and versatile instrument. Intermediate and advanced students will learn to fine tune their technique to maximize sound quality, speed, and musicality.
*'Tabla' means drum in many cultures. Not to be confused with the Indian tabla.
Intermediate/Advanced Tabla (Doumbek)
A continuation of the fundamentals class, students will learn more advanced techniques, drills to improve speed while maintaining good form, and more rhythms. To take this class, students must first take the fundamentals class. Since Souhail considers good technique essential to playing, even advanced students should take the fundamentals class first to learn his style.
Riqq (Middle Eastern Tambourine)
The middle eastern tambourine, known as the Riqq (prounounced "rick"), is tambourine in its most specialized form, and is essential in music ensembles throughout the Middle East. . It is a surprisingly complex instrument, and adds a beautiful layer to the percussion section. Souhail teaches both classical and cabaret-style tambourine for all skill levels.
Music Workshops
with Rachid
Arabic Instrumental Ensemble
Learn an Arabic song, including maqams (Arabic musical scales) and taqsims (improvisations within a maqam). Bring your instrument of choice and a notebook or audio recorder. Click here to see some common traditional middle eastern instruments. Many western instruments have also been beautifully integrated into middle eastern repertoire. Voice students are welcome in this class, as lyrics will be provided, but emphasis will be on the instrumental parts. Workshop includes handouts.
Drummers are also welcome in this class. After all, the percussion section is an important part of a musical ensemble. This is a great opportunity to learn to accompany instrumentalists with your drumming.
Arabic Singing Ensemble
Learn an Arabic song, including lyrics, pronunciation and meaning, melody and maqam. Songs learned by voice can be applied directly to instrumental music, so bring a recorder so you can practice the song on your instruments later. Instrumentalists and percussionists are welcome in this class, but the main focus will be on learning the lyrics and melody of a middle eastern song.
For a bit of trivia, who is playing the tambourine in this picture?
Private Lessons
Private lessons may be available with each instructor based on their schedules. Time slots are very limited, so if you think you may want one, please ask early!
E-mail Elissa for more information.