Creative Play
 

Middle Eastern Drumming

With John Price

Mondays, 8-9pm
August 27 through October 13, 2007
(6-week session - no class on Labor Day/September 5 and October 8)
$65 for the whole 6-week session, or drop in for $15 per individual class

Join me as I present an exciting Middle Eastern Drumming class! This is recommended for dancers to get a better knowledge of the rhythms they dance to, for musicians who would like to learn the Middle Eastern style of drumming, and for anyone who has ever wanted to learn how to play a musical instrument. Drumming is also a very therapeutic experience!

I am the husband of Haala, a well-known local belly dancing instructor and performer. So this class is also an ideal complement to Haala's Belly Dance Sessions at Clear Horizons. Just as in Haala's classes, the emphasis will be on fun and learning something new about yourself and other cultures.

I am going to gear this class to both beginners and intermediate students and create some solo riffs and rhythm variations for the repeat students to do while beginners hold down the basics, so this won't just be a retread of past classes, except for a brief intro to/review of strokes.  I can also work some riqq in there for anyone who is interested and I have a spare riqq.
 
You will need a hand drum, preferably a Middle Eastern Darbouka (also called Doumbek), which can be purchased locally at Music Explorium or online at various vendors. We have 3 drums that can be loaned for use in class to the first 3 people that pre-register and need them. Class size will be limited and may sell out - please pre-register to guarantee a slot in class.

You can register online at my new drum page:
 http://halobellydance.com/john.html

Also, check out this special offer for Drummers!

Haala's Thursday dance classes are focusing on dancing to drums this time, and we are offering a special for drummers!  Drummers can drop in for a fee of only $5 per class to play for the dancers and learn about dance/drum interaction!  A couple of things about this:

* You need to already know the basic rhythms (saidi, chiftetelli, etc.) - no total beginners please
* You will be providing the heartbeat for the dancers who are paying to take the class, so please be able to play solidly.  Not fancy, just solidly.  Get that metronome out now!
* I'll be leading the drummers, so you won't be on your own

I hope to see everyone there!

For directions to Clear Horizons, please see the map on the Welcome Page.

About the Instructor

John Price has an extensive musical background, touring and recording with several rock bands in the area.  He has studied Middle Eastern percussion with Issam Houshan and Souhail Kaspar, and has performed at
the NC  Renaissance Faire and the NC Museum of Art.  He is the husband of NCBellydance.org's Haala.

For more information, visit his webpage or email John at freecellwizard@gmail.com.