Courses Darbuka Beginners
Beginner
Darbuka Beginners
How to hold the darbuka, the correct tones (doum, tak) with right- and left-hand strokes, and the foundational rhythms — Wahda, Maqsoum, Ayyub, Malfouf and Thurayya. Progresses to Darbuka Intermediate. Students must have their own darbuka.
Fee £350 (10 weeks)
Secure checkout hosted by the Arab British Centre , our partner venue.
About this course
How to hold the darbuka, the correct tones (doum, tak) with right- and left-hand strokes, and the foundational rhythms — Wahda, Maqsoum, Ayyub, Malfouf and Thurayya. Progresses to Darbuka Intermediate. Students must have their own darbuka.
What you'll cover
You start with the two sounds the whole instrument is built from: doum in the centre of the head, tak at the rim. Getting those clean and even with both hands takes up much of the first few weeks, and it is what separates a drummer who can play fast from one who merely sounds fast.
From there come five foundational rhythms — Wahda, Maqsoum, Ayyub, Malfouf and Thurayya. Between them they cover a great deal of what you will hear in Arabic music, and once they are in your hands you can sit in with other players.
Bring your own darbuka. Any reasonable instrument will do to begin with; ask a teacher before spending seriously.
The class runs on Wednesdays from 5:00 pm and leads into Darbuka Intermediate, which meets on Thursdays at the same time.
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.
