Courses Darbuka Upper Advanced Plus
Advanced
Darbuka Upper Advanced Plus
For returning students who have completed Darbuka Advanced. Complex polyrhythms, solo and improvisation over recorded and live music, accents and dynamics, ‘Hiwa’ ornamentation and right-hand Mahbus.
Fee £350 (10 weeks)
Secure checkout hosted by the Arab British Centre , our partner venue.
About this course
For returning students who have completed Darbuka Advanced. Complex polyrhythms, solo and improvisation over recorded and live music, accents and dynamics, ‘Hiwa’ ornamentation and right-hand Mahbus.
What you'll cover
This course is open to returning students who have successfully completed the Advanced courses 2 times.
You will learn new complex rhythms, sound equality, tempo and hand coordination. Humming or singing along while keeping time on the drum. It feels impossible in week one, and it is the exercise that most reliably makes people better drummers, because it forces the rhythm to become automatic instead of occupying your attention.
upper advanced Darbuka player will learn the improvision, they’re having a musical conversation with teacher. In your class, students can practice this by learning to play short solo phrases and answer the teacher’s call in real time. They train their ears to hear the underlying pulse, stay locked in to the rhythm, and also add tasteful ornamentation between beats. A key skill is filling the gaps. When a bar is left open, the student learns to respond without breaking tempo. That means holding the beat internally, then rejoining the ensemble naturally. Over time, students build confidence to improvise without losing the groove. Practical skills include slow-time practice, listening exercises, and repeating call-and-response patterns until they’re second nature.
You will learn new complex rhythms, sound equality, tempo and hand coordination. Humming or singing along while keeping time on the drum. It feels impossible in week one, and it is the exercise that most reliably makes people better drummers, because it forces the rhythm to become automatic instead of occupying your attention.
upper advanced Darbuka player will learn the improvision, they’re having a musical conversation with teacher. In your class, students can practice this by learning to play short solo phrases and answer the teacher’s call in real time. They train their ears to hear the underlying pulse, stay locked in to the rhythm, and also add tasteful ornamentation between beats. A key skill is filling the gaps. When a bar is left open, the student learns to respond without breaking tempo. That means holding the beat internally, then rejoining the ensemble naturally. Over time, students build confidence to improvise without losing the groove. Practical skills include slow-time practice, listening exercises, and repeating call-and-response patterns until they’re second nature.
On top of that students begin to explore the complexities of new rhythmic improvisation creating their own combinations of ornamentation.
Note: Students must have their own darbuka to practice between lessons.
Registration: (paid online)
Course Book: same book Please allow 1 – 2 weeks for book
Registration: (paid online)
Course Book: same book Please allow 1 – 2 weeks for book
The class runs on Wednesdays from 7:00 pm.
Places are limited to eight to twelve students. Enrolment opens on the open day and closes when the class is full.
If you're unsure whether this is the right level, we're happy to arrange a fifteen-minute conversation to place you correctly.
How to enrol
- Send a short note using the button above, or come to the open day.
- Agree the right level — a brief chat by phone or video if you've played before.
- Book and pay — we send a booking link with the term fee.
Course fees include all teaching materials. The Mukhtar Method books are sold separately. Concessions available for students and OAPs — please ask.
