On Wednesday February 15th from 7-9pm at our studio space 1741 Westfield Dr. Satori Dance will offer a FREE Introductory Class on Arabic Percussion! This is your opportunity to meet our instructor Richard and tryout several Middle Eastern instruments.  You may also bring your own instruments to see if they are acceptable [...]]]> Hello Dancers and Drummers!

On Wednesday February 15th from 7-9pm at our studio space 1741 Westfield Dr. Satori Dance will offer a FREE Introductory Class on Arabic Percussion! This is your opportunity to meet our instructor Richard and tryout several Middle Eastern instruments.  You may also bring your own instruments to see if they are acceptable for our ongoing class. This free introductory class is to introduce our Beginning Level Arabic Percussion class which will meet every Wednesday starting March 7th from 7:00-9pm.

As a very special introductory offer you may buy a 10 class punch card that will include an instrument (a Doumbek or Riqq that is yours to keep) for only $150. If you already own an acceptable instrument you may buy a 10 class punch card at a discounted rate of only $90. After this offer expires, 10 class punch cards (without an instrument) will be $135 or 5 class punch cards for $67.50. These classes are an hour and a half each.

In this class, you will learn what is so unique and beautiful about Middle Eastern Music that sets it apart from other musical genres.  We will study 10-15 Basic Middle Eastern Rhythms, learn where each rhythm originates; what defines each rhythm; what sections are fixed; as well as how to improvise within each rhythm. Depending on your comfort level and experience, you can work on just your basic technique, or on improvising to a basic accompaniment.  Instruments needed are either a Doumbek or Riqq (included in special offer). Before you buy an instrument not listed, please ask us regarding other instruments you can use in this class.

Richard Herrington has studied musical percussion traditions of the Middle East, Central and West Africa, and Bahia Brazil for over 10 years now, and has studied with master teachers from each area.  He has played with musicians from Kara Nomadica, Fale, Bloco em FoCo, and others.  Richard plays Middle Eastern percussion inspired by teachers Souhail Kaspar and Raquy Danziger, two famous Middle Eastern masters. He teaches authentic Middle Eastern rhythms on the Doumbek and Riqq (also spelled Dumbek and Riq).

With purchase of the special offer 10 class punch card, you will receive one of the following or similar quality instruments (yours to keep):

Remo Glen Velez Riq 9″

Egyptian-style Aluminum Doumbek with rounded rim and synthetic 8 ½” head ~11″ maximum diameter, approximately 17 1/8” length (in various colors and finishes)

Low cost student grade instruments Richard recommends:
Remo Glen Velez Riq, 9″, Tunable,
Remo Glen Velez Riq, 9″, Pretuned,
Egyptian-style Aluminum Doumbek with rounded rim and synthetic 8 ½” head ~11″ maximum diameter (see picture)
such as Meinl Aluminum Doumbek, 8 ½” head diameter, 17 1/8” length (various colors and finishes)
(All available from Amazon.com)