Intermediate / Advanced Doumbek Workshop, May 25, 2008

Middle Eastern master percussionist, Faisal Zedan, will be conducting an intermediate to advanced-level workshop to share his graceful playing style and expertise in the doumbek. This will be an incredible opportunity for you to hone your existing doumbek playing skills.

When: Sunday, May 25, 2008
Time: 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Where: Newman Hall - Holy Spirit Parish
2700 Dwight Way at College Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
Cost: $50

Class Size: 10 drummers, max.
Skill Level: As this will be a multi-level workshop appropriate for intermediate to advanced drummers, participants should be proficient with basic techniques as these will not be covered in the workshop.

Topics that will be included in the workshop:
• Refinement of techniques to optimize your strengths.
• Exploring the full potential of your hands - posture, flexibility, relaxation.
• Merging and transition of rhythms in different time signatures.
• Hand and finger rolls.
• Exercises to develop each skill.

Please bring your drum, recorder, and notepad.

For more information, email Faisal: derbakki@yahoo.com
To register, email: stfamous-faisal@yahoo.com.

Faisal's website http://www.faisalzedan.com/

Demonstrating his graceful style
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWcoCo7P3Vo

Showing three ways of playing Qarshi
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d37yoBGHY7g

Middle Eastern Treasures Concert, April 20, 2008

Tomorrow, Sunday, April 20th in Oakland there will be an afternoon of Music, Drums and Dance presented by master percussionist Mary Ellen Donald.

Special Note: For the first time in its long history, this event is not a potluck.
Features:

• Nazir Latouf, Syrian born: oud and vocals
• Mary Ellen Donald: doumbec, cymbals, zarb, tambourine and frame drum
• Belly Dance by Brynn Mercedes
• Belly Dance by Michelle Joyce
• Silk Road Caravan: Afghani and Anatolian music Directed by Kevin Cloud
• VARIETY PACK! chorus directed by Lauren Carley ~ Three Percussion Ensembles performing Mary Ellen's originals
• Audience Dancing

WHEN: Sunday, April 20th, 2008
TIME: 2:00 to 5:00pm
LOCATION: Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., near Broadway, Oakland, 94609 (parking lots available for early arrivers) for directions visit www.humanisthall.net
COST: $16.00. . . includes a variety of beverages and light snacks
Children under 12: $8.00 ~ No sales in advance

For details call Mary Ellen at (510)654-DRUM (3786)
Click here for flyer: http://www.maryellendonald.com/pdf%20files/MidEastTreasuresApril20-08.pdf

Drum Classes for beginning Doumbec, Tar & Riq

If you live in the San Francisco Bay area and you are interested in beginning Doumbec, Tar & Riq classes, I highly recommend these classes with Mike Fair AKA Faraz. I first met Mike at a local drum circle several years ago and was impressed with his vast knowledge of middle eastern rhythms. When he offered classes, I immediately signed up. I've learned a lot of great technique for the Riq from Mike over the years.

Mike is the drummer for Meridian Major.

Come enjoy the fun & easy "sing-song" style to playing drums with Faraz.
Costs: $15 - $20 per session, early reservations rewarded with lowest fee.

In San Jose on April 30 @ 7:15PM At Khajulahs' Studio
In Sunnyvale on April 27 @1:30PM At Lunatic Fringe Studio

WHERE: Khajulah’s Home Studio
609 Minor Avenue
San Jose, CA 95125
(Between Downtown SJ and Willow Glen, near 280, Bird Exit. Easy access via public trannsportation: light rail and bus route 64)
To secure your space, please contact Patrice/Khajulah: patrice-khajulah AT excite DOT com408-279-8524
www.khajulah.com

For more information, please contact Mike/Faraz: msfair AT comcast DOT net
650-369-2368
www.meridianmajor.com

Old blog postings:
http://riqq.blogspot.com/2006/03/my-drum-teacher-mike-fair-aka-faraz.html
http://riqq.blogspot.com/2007/10/drum-lessons-with-mike-fair.html

N.Scott Robinson appearing at the International Native American Flute Association Convention

For those who haven't heard the news, N. Scott Robinson will be the in-house world percussionist for the 2008 INAFA convention. Scott will be appearing on stage with a variety of Native American Flute players. The performances which will be held each evening of the convention. Scott is no newcomer to the Native American Flute, as he has appeared on several recordings, most notably with Mark Holland and Autumns Child.

When: July 9-13, 2008

Where: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Details: http://www.inafa.org/2008convention.htm

Marla Leigh Frame Drum Workshop in San Francisco

THE ART OF FRAME DRUMMING & IMPROVISING WORKSHOP

Marla Leigh is presenting a frame drum workshop in San Francisco in two weekends from now..

She will cover many things, such as:

• Frame Drum playing styles (lap, tar, free hand)
• Hand drum notation
• Composing for hand drums
• Traditional Middle Eastern/Indian/African Rhythms
• Improvising in all meters (based off of North/South Indian rhythmic theories)
• Solkattu exercises
• and much more.
  

Details

• DATE: April 27, 2008, from 2-5pm
• Workshop is geared for both beginning and well-seasoned players.
• All info and registration can be found at the link below.
• Drums are provided and sold at discounted rates.
  

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WORKSHOP:
http://www.marlaleigh.com/SFdrum.htm

So what do you think about the new Blog Header?

I took a creative moment this afternoon to create a new header for the blog. What do you think? Should I keep it?

2008 LP catalog now available

I noticed that LP has released their 2008 catalog. You can download your copy here: http://www.lpmusic.com/Product_Showcase/pdf_catalogs2.html

New for 2008:

They have a new angled Cajon out this year. Look's very cool. (I know that this isn't a frame drum, but I thought that my regular readers would appreciate the style of this new percussion instrument...))

Also new this year is a new rainstick, which LP is marketing as the "longest rainshower on the market". Pretty cool looking design

NAFDA Frame Drum Fest starts tomorrow

This weekend is the big event for the North American Frame Drum Association. The first annual Frame Drum fest is taking place in Baltimore, MD. It's sold out, and I am sure that it will be an awesome event. They have a line up of amazing and talented musicians presenting and performing.

If you go, I'd love to hear about your experience. I'd even be happy to post your reviews of the event on the blog.

Tobias Roberson has a new Finger Cymbal DVD

Tobias Roberson, has a new DVD out covering finger cymbal or zills. I haven't seen it, but this could be an interesting DVD. Tobias is a bay area musician, and teacher. If you live in the bay area be sure to check out his performances with various belly dancing troups and other traveling artists.

Frame Drum Stands from Schlagwerk

Are you looking for way to secure your frame drums to a stand so that you can play with both hands or in a kit format?





The figure above is the RTH 10 Cross-Frame Holder from Schlagwerk instruments. Useful for securing a frame drum with a cross brace (e.g. Bodhran)

The figure above is the RTH 20 Frame Drum Holder from Schlagwerk.

For more info: http://www.schlagwerk.com

Join 8,000 Drums on March 21, 2008

I encourage you to be a part of this worldwide drumming event. To help spread peace and heal mother earth.

"According to a Sacred Prophecy revealed at the Otomi Ceremonial Center by the Otomi Elder Sages as a Vision of our Venerable Ancestors, the day when the sounds of 8,000 Sacred Drums join together will be the beginning of the healing of Mother Earth"

WHEN: March 21, 2008

TIME: 10 AM - 12 PM (CST) / 8 AM - 10 AM (PST)

WHAT: Play your drums prayfully. Send your prayers for understanding, tolerance, healing and happiness to those around you.

For more information: http://www.indigenousuniversity.org/sacred_drums.htm

Jas's Middle Eastern Rhythms

If you are looking for one of the most definite, online resources for Middle Eastern Drumming Rhythms, then the best place that I have found is Jas's Middle Eastern Rhythms page.

Jas lists a few hundred rhythms in notation form along with a MIDI file (very useful if you can't quite get the rhythm).


Also, there is a FAQ page on the site with ton's of great information. It's in a variety of languages.


Finally, one of the really cool gems is the online Rhythm generator, which will produce and play a custom Rhythm for you. You can also have it generate a MIDI file for you to store and play back offline or with your synthesizer: http://www.khafif.com/rhy/rhygen.html

Wanna promote your event? Check out upcoming.com

I just stumbled into a cool new online site dedicated to promoting events. It's called "Upcoming.com" (http://upcoming.yahoo.com/). I haven't used it yet, but it looks like a great place to look for events as well as promote events online. The best part is that it's free.

The Arabic character for Riq is...

Finally, I have discovered the the arabic word for Riq.
Here it is : رق‎
I have been searching for this word, as I have wanted to create a T-Shirt with it on it, but since I am not a native Arabic speaker, I didn't have a clue. Plus I certainly didn't want to put something stupid, in another language, on a T-Shirt. [Nothing worse than wearing the Arabic equivalent of "Kick Me"].

I finally stumbled onto it on the Riq entry page on the Wikipedia site. I hope that this is the correct word/character. If I have misrepresented this, please let me know in the comments section of this blog article.

NAFDA Frame Drum Fest, March 28-30

The North American Frame Drum Association is presenting the first annual Frame Drum Fest later this month on March 28-30, 2008 in Mendham, New Jersey (USA).

I just got word that there is an opening for one more attendee (apparently somebody had to cancel...). So if you were hoping to attend, but unable to get in, this may be your chance!

Please contact N. Scott Robinson at sonrob@msn.com if you would like to attend. The festival
costs is only $375.00, which includes room and board (2 nights and 7 meals), 2 concerts, 1 clinic, 2 presentation, and 9 workshops with an amazing list of frame drum artists.

A complete schedule is included below

Final & Confirmed Schedule:

COST: $375.00 per person for entire festival
WHERE: Mendham, NJ - USA.

SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY: March 28, 2008

11:00 am - 2:30 pm - Meet & Greet.

3:00 pm - 4:20 pm - Workshop: Marla Leigh - Intro to Frame Drumming and Improvisation (Tar).

4:30 pm -5:30 pm - Clinic: Jamey Haddad - Frame Drums & Looping.

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm - Dinner on site.

7:30 - 9:30 pm - Concert: [click on links to learn more about the performers]

• Valerie Dee Naranjo
• Marla Leigh
• Rafael Pereíra
• John de Kadt
• Shane Shanahan
• Steafan Hannigan & Saskia Tomkins (fiddle) with Oisin Hannigan, and Jamey Haddad with Simon Shaheen (oud & violin) and Peter Slavov (acoustic bass) with Michel Mirhej Baklouk and other performers.

Post-concert: Evening hang / practice / jam sessions

__________________________________________________________

SATURDAY: March 29, 2008

8:00 am - 8:45 am - Breakfast on site.

9:00 am - 10:20 am - Workshop: Rafael Pereíra - Modern Pandeiro & Tamborim Styles.

10:30 am - 12:00 pm - Workshop: Abbos Kosimov - Techniques of Uzbek Doyra.

12:00 - 1:00 pm - Lunch on site.

1:10 - 2:00 pm - Presentation by N. Scott Robinson on "Conservation, Performance, Practice, and Pedagogy: Issues in Kanjira Research in India.

2:10 - 3:20 pm - Workshop: Steafan Hannigan - Traditional Irish Bodhran.

3:30 - 5:30 pm - Workshop: Andrea Piccioni - Italian Tamburello Styles.

5:30 - 7:00 pm - Dinner on site / Break.

7:30 - 9:30 pm - Concert:

• Michel Mirhej Baklouk
• Yousif Sheronick & Kathryn Lockwood (viola)
• Glen Fittin & N. Scott Robinson with K. S. Resmi (Carnatic vocals) & Carl Landa (hammer ducimer & melodica)
• David Kuckhermann
• Andrea Piccioni
• Abbos Kosimov
• Glen Velez & Lori Cotler
  
  Post-concert: Evening hang / practice / jam sessions
  
  __________________________________________________________
  
  SUNDAY: March 30, 2008
  
  8:00 am - 8:45 am - Breakfast on site.
  
  9:00 am - 10:20 am - Double Workshop: Michel Mirhej Baklouk & Yousif Sheronick - Traditional & Modern Riq Techniques.
  
  10:30 am - 12:00 pm - Workshop: Shane Shanahan - Techniques for Multiple Frame Drums.
  
  12:00-1:00 pm - Lunch on site.
  
  1:15-2:10 pm - Presentation by ethnomusicologist Jennifer Caputo on "The Tammorra as a Symbol of Cultural Heritage in Campania, Italy."
  
  2:20-3:20 pm - Double Workshop: Glen Fittin & N. Scott Robinson - Duets for Bendir & Fusion Techniques for Ghaval.
  
  3:30-5:30 pm - Workshop: David Kuckhermann - Persian Hand Drumming Techniques of Tonbak & Daf on Frame Drums.
  
  5:30-7:30 pm - Dinner on site & Disperse.
  
  __________________________________________________________
  
  LOCATION:
  
  The Community of St. John Baptist & St. Marguerite's Retreat House
  
  82 West Main Street
  Mendham, New Jersey 07945
  
  North American Frame Drum Association, Inc.
  
  My Space.com Frame Drums Group
  
  Frame Drums.org
  
  Reservations & Info: N. Scott Robinson
  
  

Raquy and the Cavemen coming to California in May 2008

Here's a listing of their tour dates:

Tuesday, May 6 - Eureka CAMore Details Soon

Thursday May 8 - Sacramento CAwith UnmataMore Details Soon

Friday, May 9, 8pm - SHOW in Santa Cruz CAPresented by Rhythm Fusion$10 CoverCayuga Vault, 1100 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz CA 831 421 9471

Saturday, May 10, 11:30am - WORKSHOP in Santa Cruz CAPresented by Rhythm FusionAll-Levels Dumbek Workshop - Bring your own drumCayuga Vault, 1100 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz CA 831 421 9471

May 16-18 - Tribalfest, Sebastopol CA


More info here: http://www.raquy.com/upcoming.shtml

Art of Hand Drumming with Marla Leigh, March 2008

ART OF HAND DRUMMING MARCH SESSION

Dates/Location:

Venice, CA:: March 2, 9, 16, 23 @ 3pm - 5:15pm

Topanga, CA:: March 1, 8, 15, 22 @ 11 - 1:15pm:

In this special percussive intensive, you will learn:

• Traditional drumming styles from around the world (Middle East, North and West Africa, India
• Traditional Middle Eastern Rhythms
• The art of improvising
• Techniques to play in solid time
• Basic music theory and hand drum notation
• How to play various polyrhythms based off of Ghanaian and Moroccan music
• Solkattu, (traditional South Indian rhythmic vocalizations and exercises
• Gentle yoga stretches and pranayama to prepare the body for drumming
  

Frame Drums and some African drums provided, please bring a drum if you have one, no yoga mats needed. All levels welcome
Please reserve your space today as there are limited spaces available.

*THERE WILL BE MAKE UP CLASSES OFFERED IF YOU HAVE TO MISS A CLASS

Fee: $120 if register before Feb. 29, $145 thereafter

Registration: Reservations accepted via PayPal or send check to
Marla Leigh, PO box 293, Topanga, CA 90290.....thank you !!

Once you registrar, please send email to Marla (marla@marlaleigh.com) to tell her which workshop you would signed up for.

Special discount:
Bring a friend, and each receive $10 registration fee.

FOR MORE INFO, please visit
http://www.marlaleigh.com/ArtofHanddrumming.htm

World Rhythm Festival in Seattle April 25-27

Play, learn, jam, dance, sing... just go! Over 100 world music workshops and performances — all FREE!

WHEN: Friday, April 25 through Sunday, April 27, 2008.

• Friday: Celebration of Youth Day -- workshops for children and families, and youth group performances
• Friday extended / intensive rhythm workshops for adults
• Friday evening Opening Ceremony
• Workshops and Performances all day Saturday and Sunday
• Drum circles Saturday and Sunday early evening
• Saturday night dance party
• Sunday closing Carnival Procession
• International Marketplace
• Drum Rental and Drum Check

Here is the WRF web site: http://www.swps.org/

Excellent Tonbak finger snap video

This came my way via the Framedrummers listserv. It's an excellent example of fingersnapping technique played on the tonbak (invented by Ostad Daryoush Eshaghy).
If only my fingers could play like this...

Julie Surba, Pyrography Design

Here's an excellent video of Julie Surba from http://www.pyrography-design.com/ creating a the artwork on a drum for David Kuckhermann. I love her work, and I also love how this video showing the production process, the smoke curling away with each burn.